Runaway Riptide

Fri. July 22nd

FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

Bonjour Grann,

I woke thinking of our family's last Karnival celebration. I couldn't stay awake, and I even tried my best. But the celebration lasted through the night; and I ended up sleeping late the next day.

My favorite part of the celebration wasn't the endless tables of food and desserts, even though I couldn't get enough sponge cake, it was the off-the-cuff singing and dancing from family and friends, each family challenging the other with ludicrous lyrics until someone messed up the song and everyone started over again.

And you can't forget Ma mere put a lot of work into her rice and red beans and even cooked a large kettle of fried pork the way Uncle Tonton likes. And your pickled cabbage was the best Grann! But I thought the blue and red fresco was way too sweet. But I gracefully accepted, just the same, out of politeness and respect for Great Grandpapa Josaphat.

And the Kompa dancers were the queasiest! It was best to stay out of their way! I didn't want the attention, or the embarrassment.

Grann, I hope your memories are pleasant.