First off I have to say Happy Birthday to Matty, my little brother. I can’t believe that he is officially 20 yrs old. It is crazy to think that this is the little kid who I dressed up in dresses, attempted to carry around (that ended when I dropped him while carrying trying to go down the stairs, he was just too big), and helped with his spelling homework. He is the only Rau kid to venture out of state for college, which I completely admire him for because I didn’t have enough courage to do that. However, there are random occasions when the other 5 of us are together tailgating, eating dinner or at family gatherings and we are not whole because Matty is missing. Yet it won’t be long before the whole crowd is together; everyone is reuniting at 1395 for Thanksgiving in only 9 days! I can’t wait!!
Even though I was home two weekends ago it wasn’t as comforting as I thought it would be. Yes I was in the town where I was raised, sleeping in my childhood bed in my old room still decorated with past Washington High memorabilia but the big difference was that I was home alone. My parents were out of town for the weekend and I was just staying overnight after a high school friends wedding. The house was like an empty core, kind of like when you crack a peanut shell open to find no nut inside. It really just made me crave Thanksgiving Break more and sadly I didn’t have any reservations about heading back to Columbia. It isn’t’ the house that makes a home, it is really the people.
On my way back to Columbia I decided to swing through Chesterfield to visit my Grandma, it would only add about 30 minutes to my drive home. I haven’t seen her since August 2nd, the day I returned home from Africa and immediately returned to Columbia for classes. Little did I realize that was the last time I would see her in the house she shared with my Grandpa. He died this past June so in September Grandma decided to move into a retirement apartment building. I have to admit I was surprised when I walked into her building. My baby cousin Jack says he is going to Grandma’s Hotel when he goes to visit her. That is the feeling you get, that it is a luxury hotel, the place is clean with a colorful courtyard, an indoor pool, weight room, dining room that has waiters who bring your food, and more. It is quite spectacular.
Grandma’s apartment has a simple layout, one bedroom, one bath, kitchen and living room. However, it was like I was sitting next to her in her house in Washington. The furniture was the same, she had the same pictures hanging on the walls and I kept expecting Grandpa to walk in. It is weird how quickly you can forget that things have changed. My visit that unusually sunny and warm fall day was a refreshing escape from school and a pleasurable time chatting with Grandma.
Even though I was home two weekends ago it wasn’t as comforting as I thought it would be. Yes I was in the town where I was raised, sleeping in my childhood bed in my old room still decorated with past Washington High memorabilia but the big difference was that I was home alone. My parents were out of town for the weekend and I was just staying overnight after a high school friends wedding. The house was like an empty core, kind of like when you crack a peanut shell open to find no nut inside. It really just made me crave Thanksgiving Break more and sadly I didn’t have any reservations about heading back to Columbia. It isn’t’ the house that makes a home, it is really the people.
On my way back to Columbia I decided to swing through Chesterfield to visit my Grandma, it would only add about 30 minutes to my drive home. I haven’t seen her since August 2nd, the day I returned home from Africa and immediately returned to Columbia for classes. Little did I realize that was the last time I would see her in the house she shared with my Grandpa. He died this past June so in September Grandma decided to move into a retirement apartment building. I have to admit I was surprised when I walked into her building. My baby cousin Jack says he is going to Grandma’s Hotel when he goes to visit her. That is the feeling you get, that it is a luxury hotel, the place is clean with a colorful courtyard, an indoor pool, weight room, dining room that has waiters who bring your food, and more. It is quite spectacular.
Grandma’s apartment has a simple layout, one bedroom, one bath, kitchen and living room. However, it was like I was sitting next to her in her house in Washington. The furniture was the same, she had the same pictures hanging on the walls and I kept expecting Grandpa to walk in. It is weird how quickly you can forget that things have changed. My visit that unusually sunny and warm fall day was a refreshing escape from school and a pleasurable time chatting with Grandma.
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