'Sup

China Lily supper.
Stone organized it and sat by me.
Soda, Soda's wife, Soda's oldest granddaughter, Soda's 2nd oldest daughter & her kids joined us.

It was a turntable of yummy food and fam time to celebrate my finishing my degree.  Mostly, it was just a good meal with people I care about.

Stone is interesting.  He takes care of getting the fam together more and more these days and I have to say it is at great effort.  His desire to make the fam at least attempt the appearance of togetherness is admirable.  At least he tries, which is more than most of the members of our fam do.  Way more.  And, not only that, but he doesn't take offense easily when we aren't perfect.  That is, he takes us as we come, warts and all, and actually give a care that we live, struggle, and long for more unity (though there are a few that will fight to the death to keep from admitting that fact).  I like Stone.  I love him and always have loved him dearly.  But I also really like him.  He's a good man and a good brother.  He does more for my little situation than he wants me to discover.

Soda is another kettle.  He is a different animal when he is on his own than when he is with his keeper.  Soda called my boy before Christmas and asked him to visit Soda's workplace.  When AJ arrived, Soda gave him a wad of cash and said it was a "birthday present" for AJ and CC.  What?!?  In his own way, Soda was making a connection and showing he cared.  It was unusual and yet, for Soda, it was pretty normal behavior.  Anyway, the kids were able to put the bucks to good use for the holidays and it took the pressure off our finances.  Soda cares too. He really does. He just has to be careful not to get zapped, though, because of the shock collar he has to wear.  Harsh to say?  You have to be there to judge.

It does feel good to be remembered.  I forgot that.