Monday, April 28, 2014

What a great weekend!



This past weekend turned out to be a great one. We had a fantastic day with Wesley, celebrating her 21st birthday. The weather sucked, I knew it would and made plans for ignoring it. The director I am working with on Gem of the Ocean signs off his emails with the phrase adapt and overcome. That's pretty much what we did on Friday. Gerry took the day off, I packed up a really nice picnic from the farmers market and we picked up Wesley at her house before noon. We decided to drive up to Pilot Mountain because we knew there was a good shelter with tables there and its one of our favorite places to go when we visit Wes at school. By the time we got there, it was socked in with fog, the temperature had dropped from 75 to 58 degrees f, and a light rain was falling. We were basically in a cloud. It was really kind of nice, we were prepared.

We ate, gave her presents, including a banjo, the only thing she had really asked for, and took lots of photos, like good parents do on their kid's birthday. We hung around for awhile and then headed back to Winston Salem. My initial plan was to have a picnic at Reynolda in the gardens. But best laid plans and all that..... as it turns out, Reynolda doesn't allow picnics in their garden and the rain came anyway. We did go to Reynolda, the sun came out just long enough for us to walk around and enjoy the place. We spent some time walking around and then the clouds came back, it rained hard. We took Wes out to her favorite mexican place so she could legally order a margarita and show her ID. Her request. Now, I have been one of those parents that has not approved of parents that take their kids out for alcohol and watch as they get drunk on their 21st birthday. I know a few that have done this, I scoffed. But Wesley wanted to go out to eat with us and get a margarita, she did it responsibly and so we toasted her and had a nice dinner with just a tiny buzz from the tequila. Then later, she went out with friends for the evening. Beats my style when I was 21.... puking up tequila in a trash can!

Gerry and I drove back through Greensboro to visit Corky, then stopped by Country Park, where we used to take Wesley when she was a little girl. Lord, the hours we spent in that park, it hasn't changed a bit. Still a beautiful park for the community.

I am truly blessed to have this child. She wanted to be with us on her birthday, she drinks responsibly, she is smart and talented and basically a really kind person. I love this girl! Now, she is all grown up..... sigh.

Hop you enjoy the video, yep that's her singing, nice isn't it?!


15 comments:

Dennis Allen said...

Every one needs a banjo. If you take up Mandolin or even Harmonica the band will be complete.

cookingwithgas said...

yes! I hope she loves it.

We need a day soon!!!

Sandy Miller said...

what a great video........ so nice on a rainy afternoon. Thanks! I'd pass on the Mandolin and just get a tambourine, worked for Stevie Nicks :)

Peter said...

21 and a banjo! Happy Birthday!
Enjoyed the video. Lovely to hear actual voices as well as to read words and see photos!

Michèle Hastings said...

What a sweet voice. Really enjoyed the video.

littlemancat said...

Enjoyed this - love the calm, rainy day sweetness of it all. Banjo - love it! My husband plays banjo and guitar, me just guitar. Our son's working on the guitar these days - someday he'll get Dad's old Gibson.
Wesley sounds so good!
Mary

Hannah said...

Blimey heck. What a girl. Love the video, lovely voice, really enjoyed it. h

oldgreymareprimitives said...

Oh I love this!

Trish said...

SOOOOO nice, ALL of it. :)

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks everybody, it was a fun video to make! Glad you liked it
Xoxo

Vicki said...

Some very lovely images there, Tracey.
And, a talented, kind and lovely girl, in every way.
Well done, you and Gerry, on 21 years of great parenting. You present to the world a fine young lady.

Lori Buff said...

The fog makes a great backdrop too. Sounds like a great way to celebrate Wes birthday.

just jody said...

What a blessing to have such a beautiful….talented….well grounded daughter and that she actually wants to spend time with her parents at her age. Great video….I love her voice! What a special day…..thanks for sharing.

Tracey Broome said...

Xoxo
Thanks all of you, what sweet words!

Avalanche Looms / Susan Johnson said...

I just loved this, o hearing Wesley sing and play the banjo! I have a banjo & want to learn to play so bad, but probably too old. she makes it look so easy