They are the ties that bind. And the ties that kept us together this past week, herding us through San Francisco. Up and down and up and down... Riding the emotional roller coaster that being a part of this family mandates.
After finally finding a place to park last Friday, these Family Ties looped us down the crooked Lombard Street for a few quick pictures before cocktails and homemade guacamole on my roof, for sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge. They induced story-telling with my roommates of Nic as a little kid, and festive imbibing of single malts and California wine into the wee (well, on the East Coast...) hours. And Family Ties that when Brother started to shake and shimmy out at bars, proved that dancing really does run in the family.
The Family Ties rappelled us down from Nob Hill and into Fisherman's Wharf on Saturday, for Boudin sourdough breadbowls and touristing along Pier 39. Then over to Fort Miley for a friend's BBQ and beautiful scenery of Ocean Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge, and back to Polk Street for a light dinner at a local spot on Polk Street.
Family Ties that gathered us Sunday morning for brunch in Mill Valley at The Dipsea Cafe before an afternoon in Napa. Celebrating Father's Day like a family with grown-up children should - with flights and pours at some of the best wineries in the country. And family ties that brought us together for Ferry Building lunches and Embarcadero explorations to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary and a semi-second honeymoon on Monday June 19. Onto dinner at the Mission Hot-spot Delfina - compliments of Nic.
On Tuesday, they assembled us at the pier for a cruise to Alcatraz, and kept us from getting left in The Hole. Ties that reconvened us on Wednesday and Thursday in North Beach for fusion dining after days of travel to Muir Woods and Sausalito, Monterey and Carmel, the Presidio Golf Course and Half Moon Bay, as well as too many hours at the office for Nic.
They are ties that occasionally were a little tight and constricting. Ties that made it hard to breathe and smile. Ties that every now and then this past week, would have made a pretty good noose. OK, maybe just a bullwhip would have sufficed.
But Family Ties that keep us from slipping away from each other despite physical and emotional distance. That keep us happily dis-functioning with the best of them. For I am my father's daughter, and Brother is his mother's son. And though I sometimes contemplate how they ever got together in the first place, let alone survived thirty years of marriage, I am glad we're the herd that we are.
Because these Family Ties will always keep us connected, and pulled taught from PA to CA and back, with many more visits to come.
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My life so far can be broken down into five distinct phases: 1) Childhood, 2) Adolescence, 3) College, 4) Washington DC, and now, San Francisco... PHASE FIVE.
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6 comments:
What an action packed week. Glad you survived!! You have a good attitude about it. Our family is our family, even when they are driving us crazy, and making us "breathe," but the fact that they can do that now just shows us how far we've grown.
Nic, your week sounds crazy busy. I am amazed that you mentioned work as well. It sounds like you did an awesome job of showing them the sights.
Glad everyone had a good time.
Congratulations on surviving yet another episode ... here's to next summer!
Great post. I used to hate family vacations once I was a teenager but so miss them now.
Woah, your dad wrote an essay in his post.
Glad u have some family quality time :)
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