So much happened while we were in New Mexico, that it will be hard to post it all... certainly in one entry, but maybe not at all. Maybe pieces will pop up now and again. It wasn't so much a series of events, but a lot of lessons, events, memories and realizations.

As you may recall, I grew up in a pretty small city in New Mexico -- but the town hubby is from is a much smaller place. The Grandparents moved to this city and all the parents grew up there and stayed most of their lives. Then the grand kids started to spread out more. Hubby and I were talking and he pointed out that may be one of the reasons we haven't been good about keeping in touch with them. It still isn't a "good excuse", but it is the one we have. I guess distance does make you forget sometimes... Just takes a little more effort.

While there, the series of events were pretty basic. We got into town in the afternoon, chatted w/ one aunt, one uncle and several cousins for a while. Then we went to Granny's rosary. After the rosary, we went to have coffee, then went to one of hte three bars in town. We woke up the next morning, went to breakfast, then the funeral, then coffee/lunch and left town. Pretty basic, you might say. But while there, I remembered much more clearly where we came from. We remembered that while we are doing well financially now, we were not before. I haven't "forgotten", but I remembered that it isn't money that makes you happy... it is everything except money actually. I don't want to give the impression that we are unhappy now... don't get me wrong. But we do make a lot more wishes for material things than we ever did before. It is almost as though we expect the rest to fall in place, as long as we have the new stuff. Pretty stupid eh?

Regarding the memories, it was pretty amazing to see all hubby's cousins. We hadn't seen them in close to 10 years. I was sad to have not seen them in that long, but at the same time, so very happy to see them now. Although they are hubby's cousins, I feel like a part of the family too. Maybe earned, maybe not... but it is there. I remember what everyone was like then though. One of the cousins is firmly printed in my head as 8 years old. That "8 year old" is now much older, has a wife and a kiddo! Other cousins also had gotten married, had kids and some (although no spouse/kid) were doing so great. I was very happy to see that while we were all kids doing stupid things, everything worked out for the best. While talking to a few of the cousins at the bar, the stories came out... we reminiced a lot about memories of when they were all very young (before I knew them) some stories about when I did know them and it was so much fun. I almost felt bad about having a good time, because of the reason we were there. I am guessing that Granny would not only be OK with it, but would have come out to play while we were there. When I mentioned earlier that there is too much to write for one entry, this is where a lot of that comes in.

Anyway, we now have contact info for everyone and I plan on keeping in touch (for realsies though). I hope to continue the memories, especially for future generations.

By the way, the reason for the title is because of Uncle B... he has always been overly fond of tractors and there are many stories about that. but that is a story for another post.