Thank you...

Linking up with Shell today from Things I can't Say for her Pour Your Heart Out Meme.  I'm a first timer at this link.

My family

When I was a youngster, ok, when I was a kid, my parents got divorced.  If memory serves, this was the summer I turned six.  My mom, moved my brother and I from Kansas to the suburbs of Chicago because that's where my grandparents were.  My mom, at the ripe age of 28, with 2 kids moved back in with her parents.

Jenny and Tracey



Heather and I



I don't remember a whole lot about the divorce, or life prior to the divorce.  I do remember life in Illinois, though.  My good friends Jenny, Tracey and Heather, riding bikes - jumping on an already moving bike with it's awesome banana seat.  Roller skating with my cabbage patch skates.  That time I threw up after getting off the bus from school, while walking to the baby sitters house.  That time I knocked the wind out of myself jumping down all the basement stairs at said sitter.  Life was fun.

I also have lots of memories from visiting Kansas.  I took my first plane ride home from Kansas to Chicago. Prior to the plane, my mom would meet my dad in Des Moines where the transfer of children would happen.  Because we were in different states, we only got to visit my dad during the summer.  We would go for about six weeks at a time. 



Erin and I circa 1980



Erin and I

Most of my early memories center around Rita and John's house in Kansas.  You see, my cousin Erin and I are six days apart in age.  When we came to visit my dad, we stayed with Rita and John and Erin and I bunked up. 



Me, Casey, Erin, Justin, Derrick



I was thinking about this situation the other day and can't believe how much Rita and John gave to my brother and I when they took us in for the summers.  Rita and John have three kids of their own, and were working to pay the bills just like anyone else.  I remember the house on Piankishaw and when Erin stubbed her toe on the big grate in the floor and eventually her toe nail came off.  I remember a crazy cat named Rocky that would run around like a crazy person.  I remember going to the library or Rex-all Pharmacy on the square.  I remember being down the street from Stephanie one way, and great grandma Phillips the other way.





Me, Grandpa Trumbly, Erin



Me, Great Grandma Phillips, Erin

I also remember the house on Chippewa too.  I got swimming lessons in Kansas, me and Erin.  We would walk to the pool, or walk up to Heather's house or Amy's house.  We would jump on the trampoline, or watch R rated movies at Heather's.  I remember as we got older we would cruise the square.

Really - who wouldn't want to hang with me?

The reason that I am writing about all of these memories is because I wanted to thank Rita, John and Erin.  First of all, Erin.  I can't imagine how annoying it was to have me invade her house and her room.  To take up time in the bathroom.  To have to drag me around to her friends houses and include me in her summer activities.  To Erin, I say thank you.  I had so much fun with you during the summers.  Kansas would not have been fun without you.  Thank you for putting up with me and my awkwardness.  I appreciate all you did to make me feel welcome when we came to visit.



Me and Erin, mid to late teens



Erin and I, pre-teen



To Rita and John - Thank you too.  I had the opportunity to take care of Tony's nephew during two day stretches a couple of summers back and wanted to mame him most of the time.  You two took Derrick and I into your house and took care of us.  You treated us like your own children and we love you for that.  I'm sure that it wasn't your choice to have two extra kids to take care of, but we always felt welcomed and loved.  You are two wonderful people and I wanted to say thank you for all that you have done for us over the years.  You were a second mom and dad to me.  I love you both.  Thank you.