Family Time

The California Geylings descended upon Kansas City this past weekend for my niece Emma’s wedding to Josh Mais.  It was an aMAISing wedding adventure and I’m so thankful our family was able to join in on the fun.  How do I sum up a weekend like we had?  It was, as all celebrations seem to be for me these days, so deeply bittersweet…so, SO fun to watch the kids enjoy time with their cousins and soak up all the laughter and shenanigans, so good that we scheduled an extra day to visit with my brother, sister-in-law and mom when the flurry of activity was over and so sweet to connect with their special peeps and my sis-in-law’s family that we’ve gotten to know over the years but the weekend was also bitterly painful and that was hard to face at times.

There was the obvious heartbreak…I can’t go to a bridal shower, wedding celebration or baby shower and not be overcome by waves of grief over the very real threat of missing out on such occasions for my own kids.  I think Rolf and I would be really good at hosting a wedding together and we’d be fun grandparents (if I do say so myself).  That is an ongoing heartbreak, for sure, but I was kind of surprised by how hard it was to be there and not be able to really participate…there was a day when I would have hopped to it and jumped in to lend a helping hand and would have enjoyed being a part of the logistics.  Instead, I was a spectator in every sense of the word and that felt really foreign.

There was also a moment after the ceremony when the extended Wilson family was called up for a group picture.  I stood up with support from my guys on either side and then had to hang tight for a minute while other shots were being taken.  At one point, the photographer looked back and saw me but assumed, I think, that I’d get out of his way as he hurried to get his shot.  I couldn’t move fast enough and he backed into me.  It was totally understandable and really not that big of a deal but the incident was an emotional trigger and my slow, slooooooow maneuvering into place for the family picture only accentuated me feeling like a huge elephant in the room and I started to cry…NOT helpful when about to take a picture!!  Yeah, didn’t see that coming either.

As Rolf, Olivia and I drove the boys to the airport for their return flight on Sunday, Wilson shared with us how he got emotional during the reception when Josh danced with his mom.  I was able to share that I could relate and how desperately I wish I could be present at future Geyling weddings and next generation celebrations but it dawned on me as we talked that there is comfort knowing that we have celebrated well as a family over the years.  There are no regrets there.  Whether simple or elaborate, celebrating life was something we valued as a young family and I know that my kids know what a passionate participant I’d be if I could by the many examples in our family history.  ‘Counting on memory serving us well in the future.

There was, however, a ton of fun that was had as well and here’s a look at some of it!  Rudy wasn’t far from our thoughts and ended up being a big part of an ongoing photo game we played throughout the weekend.  In case you missed it on social media, here’s our #lookingforlightning scavenger hunt…

Here are some other highlight moments…

Uncle Rolf and Emma…then and now…oh my gosh, SO CUTE!!!!

 

 

 

 

We’re serious about our cousin traditions…

Family time.  Good time!