Fellowship & Favorite Family Phrases

The other night as another magnificent, summer sunset faded, a few members of my family and me – the same ones I’ve been sequestered with since early spring – lingered in our sunroom over beverages. We were weary of the tumultuous news and Netflix.  We sought fellowship. I’m not sure how it started, but we began to rattle off old stories from when the kids were little. One story led to another, and what emerged was a list of memorable sayings specific to our family’s experiences.  

No doubt your family has its own set of quirky, insider-joke-kind-of phrases, too. Witty or moving one-liners uttered innocently, or not, by a family member which over time have become standard vocabulary and family legend.

Here’s a few highlights from my family’s list.

It was the Fourth of July and our oldest daughter had recently learned to ride her two-wheeler – just in time to take part in the annual Long Beach town parade.  Like all the other neighborhood kids, the day before the event she threaded red, white and blue crepe paper through the bike’s spokes and then pushed streamers into the ends of her handlebars. The morning of the 4th she was out in the driveway before breakfast practicing her pedaling and braking.  

That year, like most July 4ths, it was hot and steamy. If Mother Nature had provided any cooling lake breezes, they were freshening folks on a different Great Lake. The sun was high and bright, and it had the sky all to itself.  A real scorcher. It was a day for popsicles, hats, and plenty of sunscreen.

Our family claimed a spot along the parade route, and my husband walked our little gal over to the starting area adjacent to the Fire Station.  He got her lined up alongside some pals, kissed her good luck, and turned to leave. Her big brown eyes begged him to walk the parade route beside her.  The first few blocks were in direct sunlight and uphill. Sweat trickled from her scalp and dampened the festive ribbons tied on her ponytails. Undeterred, she pedaled hard. She focused on the road ahead of her, muttering to herself.  Her dad leaned in to catch her whispered words. I think I can. I think I can. He chuckled at the infamous refrain from The Little Engine That Could.That fledgling bicyclist is now a mother herself, and that four-word sentence, I think I can, remains a favorite family battle cry.

The same, determined young girl who pedaled the length of that sweltering July 4^thparade, coined the next memorable quip.  

In raising our four kids, I admit that we tended to spoil them. We threw elaborate birthday parties. Each child had their own room. They were gifted with the latest toys and wore trendy clothes. Not only did we enroll them in a multitude of activities and sports, we hauled them everywhere.  To the pool. To a friend’s house. To the lake with friends for sleepover weekends. Perhaps, you’re guilty of the same indulging behavior.

During those child-rearing years, my husband and I had a standing agreement.  One day out of the weekend, I got to sleep in, and he took the troops for breakfast.  I’m not certain how he learned of the M&M restaurant (sadly, it’s no longer in business), but it was the hands down favorite.  Who wouldn’t like chocolate ice cream shakes and pancakes or waffles with rich maple syrup for breakfast?  And with that much sugar coursing through their systems, before the outing was over, at least one overfed child was obnoxiously twitchy, feisty and/or whiny.

My husband is not one to hold back on calling a kid up short. “Hey, what’s your problem? After all that we’ve done today, I can’t believe you’re going to act like that. When I was a kid, five of us lived in a tiny house with only one bathroom. You kids are so spoiled.”  I can see his face reddening, and his hands thrown up in disgust.

Little smartie pants, alias sweaty biker chick, thought about this.  As the oldest, she took it upon herself to become the group’s spokesperson.  Putting her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “Dad, we did not spoil ourselves!” 

What do you say to that?

Nothing. He laughed and so did the few M&M patrons who were within earshot. Now and again that wisecrack comes back to haunt my husband. “Hey Dad, ‘member how we didn’t spoil ourselves… do you think you can help out with xxx?” Sometimes that little nostalgic jest is enough to tease the wallet open.

One more anecdote before I close.  The youngest of our four was always dragged to her older siblings events.  She and I would pull out coloring books and crayons on the bottom bleacher at little league games.  At her sister’s basketball games, her backpack was loaded with bead kits and trolls. When we’d get home, tired and hungry, she’d drag all her favorite toys and crafts back inside. 

On one of those nights, she exploded with frustration. “Mommy, I can’t open the door.  I’m too full of hands.”

Since then, any time a few of us are together and loaded down with gear or groceries, “I’m full of hands” is thrown out with a giggle.

Family and fellowship. Memories and nostalgia. Wisecracks and one-liners. Such nice diversions from the anxiety and worries that occupy our present daily lives. With the future still so uncertain, shore yourself up with whatever goodies you’ve stockpiled as families. Stay well!

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