For the in-laws . . .

Tonight we had a party for Glenda, Gil's oldest sister. She is 55 now. Gil has three older sisters, and anyone that has gone to a Hunt "do" knows it is quite the experience. As I sat and watched everyone interacting at the table around me and chatting I remembered my first introduction into this family. It was very overwhelming to meet everyone. At that point Sylvia was just about to be married and only Glenda had kids but it was still as it was tonight -- loud, boisterous and very busy. My mom always taught me you should help out in the kitchen but when I tried to set foot in there it's like everyone had a plan that they were given ahead of time of what happens when and how and I just succeeded in being more in the way. Then at dinner (there is always amazing food at any Hunt gathering) it was of course strange to have have children crawling under the table and biting your feet while it seemed everyone else pretended nothing strange was happening at all. At one point it seemed like there was about 4 or 5 simultaneous conversations going on at once and I couldn't keep track of who was talking to who about what and everyone is laughing and my head feels like it's going to explode. So I decide to step out on to the porch to get air. On the porch already is Bruce, Peter and Chris who see me and start laughing. They explained that occasionally all the in-laws have to step outside to get air. What amazed me, is that that meant all that noise inside was coming from just the Hunts themselves. Now this is the overwhelming part of them, but the part about the Hunts that is truly amazing is that this family will be there for you. Come rain or shine if you have a need and someone can provide it for you, help you with it or just listen they will be there. If you have an issue and they don't get it, they will read up on it, research it and try to get it. They have helped us with every move, they came and spent a weekend cleaning and painting and setting up a nursery for Chris when I was too pregnant to move, for Rose's wedding we all went up early and decorated whatever we could to help set up, this is a family that pulls together. We try to be there in anyway we can with each other. We are there to help, to celebrate and to grieve. I am very very blessed to know each and every member of this family. They have supported Gil and I in every way possible and they have each taught me so much. I love them all dearly. From sweet Sylvia and her impeccable taste for decoration and her ability to hold these gatherings for everyone and pull everything off so well, to Maureen who loves to talk and to listen and is so very encouraging at every turn, to Glenda who is the kid whisperer and can cure any child of any bad behavior. Glenda is also the one with the ingenious ideas of how to do things. I love you all like you were my own sisters and I feel blessed to be part of the clan and that you have taken me in with open arms. As I sat at the table tonight I couldn't help but think that now my kids were part of the noise, and I wasn't sitting on the porch with my head hurting but instead I was a part of it, I could keep up with all the conversations that were happening all at once and participate as well. I am blessed that the Hunts have dragged me out of my shell and I am blessed by all the love they have to offer.