I hope you had a Happy 4th Of July! My 4th was enjoyable. I spent it over in Gwinnett County with the Evans Family at the invitation of Mary Ellen, Joey's mother.
The Evans Family is Joey's maternal family. His mother is one of seven children. And there I have no clue how many cousins Joey has. He once said 22, but I don't know if that's on both sides or just his mother's side. I only really had 3 cousin and a step-cousin. My cousins have more cousins than me by virute of just me and my 3 siblings. But, back to his family. A 4th celebration was spent at his Uncle Michael's home and many members of the family attended. I met several of Joey's cousins close in his and my ages, some of his baby and younger cousins, and 2 more aunts and uncles of his I hadn't met before. There is one uncle I haven't met. This family is originally from Savannah, but 4 of them have manage to move to north Georgia.
I had a great time. At times, I had trouble feeling like I was wanted, but I just sat and talked, mainly with his mother and her siblings and in-laws. I have always felt more comfortable with the people a generation ahead of me than my own. The family knew I was a friend of Joey's, but they wanted to know more about me. I told them I was a military brat that lived in Georgia most of her life. Harold, Joey's step-father, had me tell them about my father's current job. Harold's impressed that my father works on Black Hawks, and he really wants to meet my father. He reminded me of it again today. 
They also wondered what brought me up here from Savannah. I told them I got a job and for my degree, there isn't really a market for it in Savannah. They would ask what my job was; I gave them the title and said I'm still trying to figure it. I joked I felt like Chandler from Friends ; no one knows what his job was. I'm a transpon-transpondster!
I have enjoyed my time with this family. This goes back to when I first met Uncle Bob and would dine with him, Joey, and their family friend Harris. Everyone has been so nice to me. My mother would think they are nice. Being around them reminds me of being around my mother. Their humor is similar. They quickly get things I say. They come across as the family I wish mine could have been. That's not to say I don't love my family, but with my father being in the military, my extended family wasn't that close to my family. And since my mother's death, even my siblings and I have drifted apart. Since I last saw Beth, I haven't even really spoken to my sisters. Matthew has kept in touch with me at least since we both moved. I not only have a good friend in Joey, but I have, in a sense, found a second family at a time in my life I need one. I thank God for that.
[♪ Listening to: "Prima Donna" - Chicago]
Posted by Shawn at July 4, 2008 11:20 PM in General.
