This entry is certainly going to be high on the sappy meter, so if that is too much for you to bear on this Labor Day, then you should definitely depart immediately.

My brother had a cookout at his new condo yesterday, and I must say I am as proud of him as a big brother can be. Just a month or so ago, he and his wife were taking turns living in my apartment with my lady and I, eating up all my crabcakes. Now, they have an impressive place of their own in Largo, MD, and they are well on their way to getting back on their feet and then some. And even though my nephew was intermittently throwing up his food yesterday, he was happy and running around, and it was clearly evident that he loves his parents.

What made this event even better were the individuals who were in attendance. For the first time ever I had my pregnant lady, my son, both my parents, my sister-in-law, my brother and my nephew in the same room. I suppose this would have happened a lot more often had my parents not divorced, but that's quite alright. The fact that I had all that love within arm's reach made had me feeling beyond happy, and at one point I got a little misty. The men were playing football, the women were talking, my brother was working the grill, and conversation flowed all around, and I was taking it all in stride. I took a few picture, but I think I'll keep those off the blog this time around.

And to top it off, my brother had a picture of my late grandmother on his refrigerator. All of my childhood and adult pictures were lost in the fire, so I had not seen a picture of my grandmother in 2 and a half years. I went into the kitchen to get some water, and her picture greeted me before I could even open the fridge. I stared at it for about 5 minutes, then I smiled, then I almost cried, then I broke out the camera phone, so I could have this image to myself once again. Sure she wasn't there physically, but I am quite sure she was looking at me, and the rest of the family from above and smiling..which if fine, but I'd have much rather have had her cooking.

told you it was going to get sappy...