Family visits push to-do list aside

I am listening for a knock on the door.
My brother and his wife came up for the swap meet on Saturday. It had rained off and on all morning and I expected them to cancel. I should have known better.
They stopped by anyway. We visited for awhile before they headed out between rain showers. I insisted they borrow one of our umbrellas.
After they left, I stopped at the nursery for a flat of impatiens. Then I stopped by the local big box store for a few groceries and salt for the water softener.
Thankfully, a stranger helped load the heavy bags into my cart. The store personnel didn’t even look my way. A couple of women offered to help move the salt into the car but I managed to do it on my own.
I had only been home a few minutes when there was a knock on the door. Michael and Diane were back and wanted to return the umbrella. We visited some more. As they were ready to leave I mentioned that the street was blocked off because of a car show. They walked over to check it out and I went back inside to see if my husband wanted to go, too.
We met Michael and Diane and checked out the cars. Either we got there early or people didn’t want their classic cars to get wet as there weren’t nearly as many exhibitors as usual. It started raining again and we walked back to the house. We talked for a bit and they left with a promise to be back the following day.
Michael had bought a junk tractor and he had called our brother, David, to help him get it back to Ohio. I asked them to stop on their way home. Therefore, I am waiting for a knock on the door.
I had not planned to spend the day visiting. I had a list of things I needed.
I intended to stop at the sweeper store for a belt to replace the one caused the vacuum to smell like it was on fire. When I took the sweeper apart I found that the belt had fallen apart. There were several other specialty places I wanted to stop by while I was out. Because my brother and his wife are far more important than a sweeper belt, I canceled my plans. The intermittent rain storms gave me an additional excuse to stay in town.
It was worth every minute. My brothers don’t come up very often. I enjoy their company. We talked about the treasures they had found at the swap meet. We sat on the porch and were treated to a visit by a hummingbird and the fragrance of the last of the lilacs. We traded stories and reinforced memories.
It was a good day. I enjoyed it much more than I would have if I had stuck to my original intentions. There is always time for new sweeper belts. Shopping trips can wait. Plans can be changed. Skies may darken and rain may drench the earth but family is always more important. Time can never be recovered.
I doubt if they will stay as long today as they did yesterday. David has a vacation coming up and there are preparations to be made. Any time they choose to spend with us will be welcome. I feel very fortunate to get along with my brothers so well. There are so many families who don’t get along with each other.
A visit with family is always a worthwhile way to spend a day. All the things on our never-ending to-do lists can wait.
I have flowers to plant while I wait to see what Michael has bought. That knock on the door will come soon enough.