the yellow backpack

James is here at Baylor…

and Robert and Elizabeth are coming this weekend.
We’re off to a good start.

Robert told me he’d pay me to go to all of the Baylor football games,
but Elizabeth’s reasoning is what’s going to get me to stand in the heat for the Bears this Saturday:

“at least come to the football game for a little bit so we can take a picture”- Elizabeth.

So much in life we do for the picture
[how often do I really stand back to back to James?]

Regardless, pictures are catalysts for memories.  From this picture I can remember how I realized my borderline absurd tendency to wear yellow (4 days in a row), James’s “purposefully ridiculous” giant yellow watch, how almost odd it was to have James drop my new place…I could go on, but I’ll spare you.

Pictures are going to fill the wordless book that I flip through and recreate exaggerated stories (unintentionally but inevitably) when I’m in my rocking chair.

I’m thankful for family and pictures and pictures of family.

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On James’s last night before Baylor, he spent time with just Robert.  From the tales they both tell about their brother-time, I think James’s word choice of Shenanigans and adventure was right on.

IHOP, Shenanigans in Walmart, and a great adventure, all after midnight, time well spent with Robert Gear, best brother I could ever ask for.

After their adventure into the wee hours, Robert woke me up with pure excitement to tell me all about it.  I’m not sure how much I retained at that hour, but I’m confident countless memories were etched into the little brother’s mind. Memories to be stored forever.

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For the afternoon we ventured down to Big Cedar, and…

…We boated.

…Watched James wakeboard [and face plant]

Tried to visually depict how Grandmother needn’t worry about James being in the far away land of Waco. Taylor and I are there to mother [and father?] him.

And then we worked really hard at getting a cousin picture. The task used to be to keep Jonathan from blinking, but now it’s to get the Beach Boys (the-too-cool-for-pictures two on the left) to smile.

Growing up, my definition of vacation meant visiting these cousins.  Now they’re getting married, having babies, ahhhhh we’re growing up.

Again, I confess to loving my family.
And we enjoy each other
learned to love each other
make fun of each other
spend Christmas sleeping on the living room floor together [well until "someone" decided they were too old]
all because of these two:

aren’t they precious?

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Looking over my past few posts, I realized that each had to do with my family.  At first I was bummed– so much for diversity and interesting content (I mean, can family really compete with the yellow backpack?)

When everyone links arms, you don’t end up with a line; you end up in a circle with everyone looking right back into the eyes everyone else.  I think that’s where my family is and probably why my posts (as does my time) follow the same mentality.

My precious grandmother has been in the hospital for several weeks.  We’re praying like crazy, determined to beat the unexplainable blood disease, and in the process, our circle is being knit a bit tighter.

Seeing my family tag-team and rally around my grandmother, taking turns having “sleep-overs” and story time, makes me know that I am loved.  I am so blessed to be part of such a team.

That is family.  That is love.

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot

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I couldn’t do the past few weeks justice if I didn’t point the spotlight on James’s commencement speech– even if this post is way over due.

We kept the speech a secret from my grandparents.  They found their seats in JQHammons arena along with thousands of proud parents and pulled out their program.  Immediately James’s name popped out and they were astonished.

In his speech James confessed to a few pranks and applauded some of the most humble and influential teachers including the infamous Mr. Coffey.  He deserves more than a shoutout or a blog entry.  He’s taken me to the hospital twice and caught me as I’ve passed out– more than the average teacher, huh? Here’s an old pic because Coffey refused to smile with James (and, of course, for old time’s sake)

Then, James quoted a letter I wrote to him as I left for Baylor freshman year.  I’d heard James practice his speech countless times and could quote most of it, but I was still nearly brought to tears.  I am not yet able to articulate why.  I think I was just proud.

1.  Say thank you constantly.  We have so much to be grateful for.  Still true.
2. Spend as much time with your grandparents as possible. James looked up and smiled at the glowing Mr. and Mrs. Beach.  I’ll stand by that advice.  My lunch with them at Captain D’s this week was a highlight, even if I was the only patron under 65 years old.
3. Strive for more. Work hard, serve others, encourage, and keep striving.

I’m so proud of my brother and cannot wait for him to be a Baylor Bear next year. oh yes.

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