A Crock Pot of Crazy

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A family is a unit composed not only of children
but of men, women, an occasional animal, 
and the common cold.  

~ Ogden Nash

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 I recently had a weekend reunion of sorts with my mother's side of the family.  These were aunts and uncles I had not seen in some time, so it was good to get together with them and catch up.  Daughter of the year #2 had not met any of them, so that made it extra special.  I entered the weekend a bit preoccupied, but it sure didn't take this slew of crazies long to take my mind off things.  That's right, I said crazies.  

 Now, it's clear to me that many of these family members read my blog and for that I love you just a little bit more.  Come on now, you'd all admit we're a bit crazy.  Although I'm fairly sure this side of the family is where I got my ability to jump from two very vast and strangely different topics in a matter of seconds.  You know, sort of like hearing aids and Brazilian waxing.  Yep, you heard me right.  There's nothing like the simple question of one family member asking another about waxing, specifically of the Brazilian type, to make you realize you certainly aren't in Kansas anymore.  

 However, as I spent three days among these crazy family members, I began to see how each of them is a tiny part of who I am today.  There's something about spending time with family you haven't seen in ages that gives you a healthy dose of perspective.  That dose of perspective seemed to strike me while cleaning my crock pot days later.  You see, these family members, while all very much individualistic, hot and cold, and spattered with mannerisms that had to have come from how they were raised are a lot like my crock pot.  Go with me on this one, I've been using it lots and also battling severe allergies, so this might be the meds talking.  

 I have a new crock pot.  One of those fancy programmable ones that makes much larger meals than my old one.  Yet, I refuse to get rid of my old.  The new one is cleaner with less signs of the history of meals I've made, but it's that very history that draws me back to the old one.  It's reliable.  Doesn't have hot spots.  Cooks evenly and never shuts off when I have managed to incorrectly set the programming.  It just...GETS ME!  And without explanation.  Without pretending I'm something I'm not.  Without fancy directions I have to read every time I use it.  Pretty much like my mother's family. 

 So, while I would never try to wipe away the past or comments about waxing like I haven't quite wiped off last year's new chili recipe from the old crock pot, I realize that's what I appreciate most about these people.  They have always accepted me, dad of the year and daughters of the year exactly as we are (perhaps even still splattered with last year's chili).   Even more, I appreciate how they treated me like I was the world's very best writer (even encouraging that book I keep talking about).  In the end, much like my old crock pot, I knew they'd be there for me - hearing aids, Brazilian waxes, crazy and all.  

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