Family Ties

Yesterday was a fantastic day as we strolled the quaint streets of Jonesborough, the oldest town in Tennessee, with members of three generations of our family: Our daughter, two of her daughters, and one-year-old Jaxon, son of our granddaughter, Bethany. Crisp, balmy weather was the perfect backdrop for wandering in and out of the shops or gazing at the fall-themed window displays.

Bethany had brought her "good" camera, and I even took a few phone pics! Giant cornstalks with golden ears of dried corn cloaked every lamp post, it seemed, and bales of hay sporting colorful pumpkins, crook-necked gourds and pots of bright chrysanthemums provided handy seating places and photo ops.

This was so thoughtful of them to take us on this tour! I loved spending time with Julie and these granddaughters! Winsome Bethany, the oldest, always sees to it that we have a good time while we are here! Later that day, she took us to see the vintage brick home they are restoring, happily helping us visualize the plans they have for it. She and her husband are approaching with youthful optimism what would be a daunting task for the older generation.

Last night I found married granddaughter Sarah strumming the guitar and persuaded her to sing for me. Her beautiful, clear voice rang out with the lovely words of a contemporary worship song. She has taught herself to play the guitar and can play a bit on the keyboard, too. The nimble-fingered young lady is also working on a knitting project.

Younger sister Michaela, the newlywed, crochets and is in the middle of making an afghan. This vibrant older teen is the computer whiz of the family and is busy with college classes in the morning and a job in the afternoon. Her efficiency spills over into whatever she undertakes, her crisp, rapid speech belying her Mississippi roots.

Little Mackenzie, 10, is everyone's go-to girl for keeping an eye on one of her three baby nephews, retrieving any lost item, or running upstairs for a forgotten article. She loves to recount the funny things the little ones say or do and is their favorite playmate.

We are going home tomorrow. We will miss everyone, but the memories of the good times will be with us all the way home to Oklahoma and until we see them again.