Minnesota

I made it to Minneapolis! I’m just about to fall asleep, but I thought I needed to write at least a little. The drive today was easy, and I got into town around 1. I am currently staying with my cousin Rachel, her husband Dave, and their daughter Adelede... and of course I can’t forget their ankle biting dog Sampson. Same name as my baby back home... I miss my dog :( Their Sampson is a tiny little alpha dog that doesn’t like most men, and seriously acts like he’s going to take a chunk of flesh out of whatever appendage you hold most dear. I think he’s taken to me, as I was finally able to pet him... anyway, he’s cute and it’s really unfortunate that he has such a large chip on his shoulder.

Tonight was fun! I can’t say how glad I am to finally be able to spend time with dad’s side of the family. All of my life I’ve been blessed to be close to my aunts, uncles and cousins on my mom’s side, but I’ve definitely greeved the lack of contact with my dad’s side. After all, blood is blood, right? Well... I guess there is blood that refuses to act like family, but I’d rather not go there right now. Rachel, being the wonderful hostess that she is, took it upon herself to invite my cousins and uncles over for drinks and conversation. I totally saw my dad when my uncle Dave walked up to me... the similarities were uncanny. Same bone structure, same nose, same thin upper lip... I love it. It’s just great to me to see the Sheild side, and to be able to actually spend some time getting to know them. I can already tell that this is going to be a good time, and in a week I get to see my parents and two of my sisters... YAY. I could cry right now at the thought of seeing them... and most would think “what’s the big deal? It’s only been two months“... but my family is my foundation, and as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. There’s nothing like being on the road to make any fragment of ‘home’ seem like an oasis of greatness, and that oasis for me is the people that I love more than life itself.
I’m exited to see my grandpa tomorrow, and I’m so glad to hear that he’s doing a lot better. I really hope that he can be an active part of the reunion... I know he hates being powerlessly stuck in the hospital... especially when all his children and grandchildren are together. I have faith that a miracle can happen :) Anyway, It’s bed time.