Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Good Vacation
The Wylie Family Farm Bi-Annual Retreat came to a happy and somewhat eventful ending. Any of us who flew commercial had delayed flights and missed connecting flights. The weather for some of us who drove was frightful at 107 degrees in the shade. We all arrived from across the country like locusts who come together every two years to cook and swim and boat and eat and sing and drink and partake in various semi-dangerous activities.
Glasses were broken, bread was baked, the most difficult puzzles were constructed, hilarity was had, family ties were mended stronger than ever, precious children were loved up, and great fun was experienced by all. There were 38 of us with three no shows (I’m looking at you Alex).
My 86-year old matriarchal mom pays for this retreat every time and we just have to get ourselves there. It is for the benefit of her four children, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Yes, eleven. But it is, of course, for her, too.
My mom is awe-inspiring. She works on the farm the whole livelong day, sharp as a tack, and generous to a fault. She gave my three brothers and me the whole farm (yes, I am officially a farmer now) but is constantly fretting over her grandchildren, always giving them ample gifts.
