We ended up leaving the house around 5:30 on Saturday morning. The kids were a little reluctant to get up, as were we, but as soon as they realized we were leaving to see Pop-pop they were excited to start the road trip.
The trip up wasn't the greatest. Lauren was in no mood to be traveling about the time we crossed into Wisconsin and, given the fact I hadn't had my coffee yet, it got a little hairy. But we made it. All in one piece. And were joyfully welcomed by Pop-pop, Joyce and Aunt Grace.
We visited for awhile, ate some lunch and I taught Josh how to play checkers. By mid-afternoon we were all ready for a quick nap so we headed to our hotel and rested our eyes for a bit.
Our family is small. But I don't think many realize exactly how small our family is. The Bruni side of the family consists of my children, my brother and me, my mother and aunt and my Grandfather. That's it. The only other two people still living that are on our family tree are Grace (Pop-pop's brother, Milton, was married to Grace) and Viola (Viola's mother-in-law was Pop-pop's aunt). Like I said...they are on our family tree but you've got to go through quite a few branches to reach them. ;-)
Saturday night we picked Grace up and headed out to Viola's farm. Grace was in love with Ella and kept asking how "her little dolly" was. Ella, of course, smiled and laughed each time she spoke to her. Viola is a sharp woman, even at 88. They both are extremely sincere and generous - in every sense of the word.
The kids had a blast at the farm. After being tied down in the van they were ready to run free. Besides chasing all the farm cats, they had fun exploring the old farm.
I kept telling Pop-pop that I remembered being there before. I remembered the yellow siding and the sidewalk around the house. I remembered getting gold flecked swizzle sticks. And I remember there being a dog. But I was young. Younger than Josh. He couldn't remember...but tonight my mom confirmed it. My what a difference twenty-five years make.
After visiting at the farm for awhile we all headed out to a nice dinner at the Iron Ridge Inn. The older I get the more I appreciate my family's history. The stories I've heard over and over again as a child have more meaning to me now. And it was an honor to share a meal with such a group of people.
After dinner we drove past the old cheese factory. The factory where my grandfather grew up. And where the Bruni's made a name for themselves in America.
Pretty amazing to be where it all began.
And then it was Sunday.
We got up and went to church together. It's always special to worship with family. I only wish I could worship with my Grandfather every Sunday. You should all be lucky enough to hear him sing. That voice. I remember even as a child how much I loved to hear him sing. I pray I never forget it.
We went back to their house after church and Josh challenged Joyce to a game of checkers - using his rules of course.
After lunch it was already time to leave.
After saying our good-byes we only had one more good-bye to say and that was to my late grandmother. On our way out of town we stopped at her grave. I started to cry as soon as we pulled in. Josh asked why I was sad. I told him that I was sad for so many reasons all of which were selfish. I wish I could have known her. I wish I knew what kind of woman, wife and mother she was. I wish she could hug my children and experience the joy of great-grandchildren...and grandchildren, for that matter.
My grandparents lost two babies and they are each buried next to her. I cannot imagine her loss and so I imagine she was a very strong woman. She was a very skilled nurse so I imagine she was very smart. I recently looked through a baby book she made for my mother and it was evident how much she loved her children.
If only I could have known her.
A mere four hours later and we were back where we began.
