So my cousin Chris is going into the military…the Airforce to be exact. Friday night his girlfriend’s Mother hosted a party in Alachua for him. I noticed as I hit my mid-30′s I became much more aware of the quality of my upbringing and that age was bringing me a little bit of wisdom. I can say that it was a very strange feeling to realize that my cousin, who I have pictures holding when he was a baby, is a grown man.

There was a strange mix of people in attendance, most who I had never met. Unlike my heathen sisters and I, Chris is a Jesus freak. Hey, it works for him and he is honestly one of the more sensitive and kind people I know.

The party went on for a few hours and Chris’s Dad, my Uncle Tim, showed up. I haven’t seen Tim in a years although we live in the same town. Tim, much like my other Uncle Terry, has been a fantastic parent. I have a great deal of respect for how he raised his children. That being said, dealing with Tim was always difficult for me as I never felt like he figured out how to get through to me. Tim over the years has helped countless friends of mine at the University of Florida and helped God knows how many thousands of other kids. Every athlete I’ve ever met who has worked with him at UF has a small story or anecdote about how Tim helped them. I believe my Grandfather would be proud of him. Nonetheless, Tim never figured out that the way he treats his athletes was about the worst way to deal with me and as such I never felt the need to have much of a relationship with him. I had a good time seeing Tim and meeting his new girlfriend.

Eventually my sister and another one of my Cousin’s drove up from Tampa. Kim was in her typical humor and her and I made fun of each others teeth. Melanie, one of my Uncle Terry’s daughters, I haven’t seen probably in 6 or 7 years and I was happy to hear she was doing great at her new job working for an old family friend in the Tampa area.