I hope everyone had a safe Memorial Day weekend. I have to say that I’m a bit saddened that Memorial Day isn’t really observed for what it’s meant to honor, which is fallen U.S. soldiers. I don’t go out of my way to do a lot for the day, but I do think about the sacrifices made by others. Unfortunately, I saw a lot of other celebrations going on, too, that had nothing to do with that; people are just confused, I guess.

My Grandpa Joe served his country during WWII. He was wounded. He fought back. And he has moved on, seldom speaking of those days. But when he does, when he pulls his pant leg up, showing the shrapnel wounds on his shin, you are instantly caught up in his stories. He is a living piece of history to me. And he deserves honor, his story respect. He is a hero to me, to my family, to us all. I'm going to write a complete post on my grandparents one of these days just to acknowledge their awesomeness!

In other news..

Well, my aunt and younger cousins came down here for the weekend (they actually left today). And let me tell you, it’s little visits like these that reminds me how far from normal my family is. Now, don’t get me wrong- I love my family very, very much, but I’ll be the first to admit we all have issues. Since my aunt and cousins stayed with family that lives in town, I got to spend the entire weekend with all of them. Now that I think about it, actually, maybe we spent a bit too much time together…

My visiting cousin, who turned 12 Friday, just so happens to be in the “gangsta” stage. Which means he wears giant shorts, T-shirts that reach his knees, puffy shoes,speaks ghetto and wears over-sized hats. Oh yeah, and you can’t forget the “bling” (which, in my cousin’s case, just so happened to be this giant, chunky necklace made out of rubber bands), and the fact that he’s got his iPod jammed in his ears 24/7. My other cousin, who turned 13 in March, is the same way.

Then there’s my grandmother who plays a big role in the church she goes to (it’s not my church, though). I only go there when family’s in town or if I’ve spent the night over there. Well, I went this Sunday… and found out that my grandmother really likes to “get down” during the Praise and Worship songs. I mean, REALLY get down. In front of the entire church. :shock: I didn’t know whether to laugh or hide.

My aunt that lives out of town, however, knows how to do the Soulja Boy and the 2-step, and she claims her favorite song is Sexy Back. I’m convinced my brother is part monkey, my mother is a germ freak, my sister is a princess and my dad is… well, my dad!

But you know what? As crazy as these people may be, they mean the world to me somehow. Maybe I’m just as crazy as they are… ;)