Easily Excitable

A while back, Trey and I were sitting poolside in Mexico: we were down there for a wedding for one of Trey’s friends. 

Just a thought to throw in here: it’s really hard to beat a poolside in Mexico. 

Sitting in a Georgia backyard on a pretty fall day? It’s on up there in my list of favorites, but…

I’ll say it again: it’s really hard to beat a poolside in Mexico. 

Now, back to your scheduled programming.

I was running my mouth (as I’m wont to do) with a few girls who were also there for the McCoy wedding. 

During the course of conversation, one asked me if I was from a big family.

She said I gave off “big family vibes.” 

Personally? I was thrilled. Is there any bigger compliment?!

IF SHE ONLY KNEW THE CAN OF WORMS SHE’D JUST OPENED!

I hail from a family of three siblings. We were the Traveling Meadows Circus™  when we were younger. 

But we Meadows siblings grew up amongst a host of cousins. 

Some of them were close to my age.

Some had me by a few years (and had therefore attained celebrity status). 

Is there anything better than a childhood with a ton of cousins? I’m convinced there isn’t. 

There were many forts built in random bushes, plenty of chicken fights in the pool, and a multitude of breakfasts at Gran’s roundtable. 

There were countless games of crack-the-egg on the trampoline. There was flying the airplane, wherein our older cousins balanced us in the air on their feet.

There was even the occasional swinging us around in circles by our arms. 

I grew up with Trivial Pursuit games around the dining room table over Christmas break, which was also a stretch where we’d take our annual holiday trip to the movie theater. 

Growing up, I took all of this for granted: 

I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be, right? We’re not really supposed to know our level of ‘normalness.’ Your family is your measuring stick.  

Now, I see that, as a family, we aren’t *normal*, per say; rather, we’re a lot of fun, and  that’s way more important.

I come from a family where conversation is loud, jokes are *at times* inappropriate, the laughs are numerous, the competition is fierce, and the love is abundant. 

How blessed am I?

What a gift we’ve been given with family. 

In an ideal situation, this is a group of people you’ve never known a life without. 

These are the people who’ve seen you and known you in all stages of life: from the round-headed baby days, to the tomboy-bowlcut-stage, to the too-cool-for-family-stage, and now, back to the “I’m so excited to see them” stage. 

I love the commonalities of family: 

The foods we all love

The Christmastime traditions

The stories everyone’s heard a million times

The ‘every year’ gathering place for family get-togethers

The family vacation spot we’ve gone for 30+ years (and still oodle over)

It’s an interesting thing, seeing your family through a different set of eyes. 

I didn’t ever think about this until Trey met both sides of my family. 

I think it was well-known by that time that we were pretty serious and that there was a good possibility he’d be sticking around for quite some time. 

But before we met the other’s family, we gave each other a rundown on who’s who. 

This preparation is key. 

Honestly? The Meadows-Mullis family starter pack should come with flashcards because we are a plentiful people. 

(And, mind you, there’s not a small personality in the bunch.)

I’m sure there was much discussion afterward, and I remember that that was the first time I saw my family from the perspective of an objective onlooker. 

In the midst of the questions he fielded (and probably more than a few fun remarks), I think Trey could see this clearly:

Mine is a family who loves abundantly:

Loves to pick, 

Loves to have fun, 

Loves to eat, 

Loves to tell the same stories every year. 

But at the center of all of that is the love we have for each other. 

There’s a reason for family: in it lies safety, comfort, and joy. 

I believe it’s one of God’s greatest creations, and it’s one of the best gifts he’s given me. 

Family is the group of folks who swoop in and circle the wagons in hardship.

It’s a group knit together by love, wisdom, funny stories galore, and more than a few great recipes. 

In this group are the keepers of the memories and those who pass along the legacy of loving your people to the next generation. 

And the best part of family? It’s the fact that it grows. 

I’ve had the pleasure of marrying into a great family, and I’ve also been blessed with a circle of friends who are more like sisters. 

I have a ‘big family vibe.’

To me? There’s no bigger compliment.

I’ve been bathed in love since the day I was born. 

I’ve been accepted for all my quirks (which, really, many of those quirks in some form or fashion can be traced back to other branches in the family tree). 

I’ve gained confidence because I’ve always had a place where I unquestionably belonged.

What a treasure that is. 

Today, on this weekend leading up to Thanksgiving, I give thanks for this family of mine.

One of the greatest joys God’s given me is a big, loud, funny, and loving family. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!