Belonging
- 1. An affinity for a place or situation.
I belong here in the high desert plains of northwestern Nevada. I belong on my side of the mountain among the mustangs and sage. I belong here with the hundreds of new friends I have made over the past three years. I definitely belong in the garden of friends and family that’s quietly grown and bloomed in this, the spring of my life Quiet simply, I belong here. Home means Nevada.
The snow and rain have finally stopped for just a little while. Thank goodness. Although it rained during the party yesterday, Mother’s Day morning shaped up to be a beautiful day. With the food prepared, a clean house, and groomed gardens here at Winterpast, it was as good as this seasoned old croon could do.
The 2023 bumper crops of apricots, plums, cherries, and blueberries continued ripening. Iris, tulips, daffodils and peonies were on the verge of blooming. The spring days have joined together like pearls, not in any hurry for the summer heat to arrive. The high’s have remained around 70-ish, which is just about perfect when you add beautiful spring breezes.
As the 30 guests began to arrive, I had thoughts of the last time I held a large gathering here at Winterpast. It was for a much more somber and serious event. The memorial for VST, held on July 15th, 2020, in the middle of Covid. People were heartbroken to call with regrets, but at the time, Covid remained a mystery. 40 very brave souls came to celebrate VST’s life without masks or gloves. It was not only a beautiful celebration, but it was so wonderful to see family and friends through tears and laughter. It had been quite some time since I had really gotten to enjoy the faces of others. No one wore masks that day and no one got Covid.
Yesterday’s atmosphere is so different. It was Mother’s Day, and the guest of honor was MM’s mom! The rest of the guests were his immediate family. 30 in all, guests ranged in age from a one year old to two octogenarians. I’m not used to throwing such an easy party. I furnished the venue, plates, napkins, cutlery, and soft drinks. Everything else was provided by MM and his family.
I will say that after a week of continuous cleaning and yardwork, it either made me that much stronger, or moved me closer to “The Home”. One-half acre of weeding is a lot. I sure wish I’d known about the pre-emergent spray last winter when it was the appropriate time to apply it. This summer will be a bit rough, but next winter, I’ll be on the list for spraying.
The corn hole game, which MM insisted on, was set up in the driveway. Approved by the American Cornhole Association, it provided a place to play after lunch. The littles were fascinated by the fountain, getting their little hands in the dirt and then practicing hand washing in the fountain. I’m getting old, because it was about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
At one point, one of the littles in her spring dress took my hand to take me across the “bridge” to see someone. With her little “Cindy-Lou-Who” haircut, she just decided she and I needed to take a walk. Enchanting.
The brisket was wonderful. It cooked for 16 hours rested for two. Melt in your mouth goodness. The first guest arrived at 1:45 and the last left at 7:30. A great time was enjoyed by everyone. I won’t be the last family blowout we enjoy here at Winterpast.
After Mother’s Day is over, there are many projects to tackle. The biggest and most exciting is the assembly of an honest to goodness greenhouse for the garden. I’m excited to send my houseplants there for some R&R. They could all use a spa date with humidity and extra tender loving care.
Yesterday was a wonderful day for us Mom types to remember all the love and joy our children have given us over the years. Life would be very different without the people that lived under our hearts for a time. No matter the distance, the bonds between Mom’s and kiddos are the most special in this world.
Whatever you do today, take some time to enjoy Spring. For me, the clean-up awaits. There are tables to fold up and chairs to place back in the garden. There’s that fountain to rinse, and birds to watch. What memories we made yesterday. I hope you have some mighty fine ones yourself.
More tomorrow.