Family, Roots, and Being Overwhelmed

Last week, I took a bittersweet road trip with my dad.  My mom don't travel well and my husband had to work.  My Uncle Mac had passed away and we traveled just a little ways (distance wise compared to everyone else) for his funeral.  My dad hadn't seen Uncle Mac in I don't know how long.  I have very vague memories of what he looked like when I was younger.  Along with going for my uncle's funeral, I saw my Uncle Sammy for the first time since I was in elementary school.  That was either in the very late 80's or very early 90's.  Either way it's been a while.  I also saw my Aunt Ginny.  I hadn't seen her since I was 4.  And MANY cousins!!!

My cousin, Crystal, and I finally discovered where we get our lack of height from.  My other cousin, Martha, lives just over 2 hours away. My cousin, Mindy, and I are almost cousin twins! LOL!!!   Then, I found out, even though they weren't there, there were cousins I didn't even know about!!

As far as the roots part, all of the brothers in my dad's family are truck drivers.  My dad is not OTR anymore, but still is behind the wheel of a truck day in, day out.  It's a different culture.  I've tried to explain it to my husband before, but I just don't know how to explain it.  I told him that when we moved to Big Spring, to get use to visitors!  His step-grandpa is a truck driver, but I don't think my husband has seen it on the same level.

The overwhelmed....well, in 2 days, we got so much information that days after I'm still trying to process it all.

Funny story!  I'm from the South.  I've been in North Florida for 26 years.  My dad had a Dr. Pepper and asked me if I wanted a drink.  I told him, no, I can't have soda because of the medication I'm on.  I thought for a millisecond and said "I've been around these people from up north too long.  It's rubbing off on me! I just called a Dr. Pepper a SODA!!!!"  My cousin, Crystal asked, what did we call it down here.  At the same time Uncle Sammy's wife, Shelly, and I both answered "COKE"!  Everything is a Coke down here!



Well, this one's for you Uncle Mac!  Love you!!!!