Laughter best shared with family

I had been looking forward to last Thursday for months. I had purchased tickets to the Jeff Foxworthy show at our county fair. It was a major splurge as I had bought tickets for my brothers and their wives as well as my husband and me. I figured it was a good excuse for us all to get together.
I watched the weather forecasts all week and worried every time rain was predicted. The sky opened up on Wednesday and I prayed the weather gods would get it out of their systems and be done with it.
Thursday finally arrived, bright and sunny. I packed up my stuff and headed for the fair to carve for awhile. Most of the guys from the carving club were already there. I unpacked and began working on my project. Actually, we did more talking than carving.
At one point I looked up and the guys had disappeared. They had left me to guard their tools. One of the others brought me some of the free chicken and noodles that were being served just outside the tent where we were stationed. It was delicious.
The guys finally came back and we were soon joined by one of our newest female carvers. People came and went and the time passed quickly. I finally checked my phone and realized I had missed a call from my brother’s wife. I called her back and discovered they were already on the fairgrounds.
I told her where I was and a few minutes later she came through the other end of the tent. My brother, Michael, was still looking at the tractors. He could look at tractors all day. Diane and I talked for a bit and Michael finally wandered in.
I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight. It had been awhile since we had seen each other. I introduced him to the others and we had a good visit. They left to peruse the tractors again.
While they were gone someone came in carrying a young fox. It was on a leash and was obviously used to people. I petted it and was amazed at how soft it was. It was one of the highlights of my day.
A couple of kids wandered in and wanted to try carving. They completely dispelled the myth that kids can’t sit still or listen. They sat there and carved under very close supervision for a long time. When they decided they had had enough, I packed up my tools and dropped my stuff off in the car before looking for Michael and Diane.
Guess where I found them? At the tractor display, of course. We got in line for the free ice cream.
As usual, it was fantastic. I told them I was going home to wait for our other brother, David, and asked if they wanted to come with me or stay there.
They opted to stay. I had only been home for a few minutes before David knocked on the door. We chatted for awhile before heading back to the fairgrounds. We met up with Michael and Diane for supper. The tables were crowded but the food was great.
We headed for the grandstand. I was waylaid by free cookies and an old friend. I knew there was to be an opening act but had never read the part about it being music. I’m sure they were fine but the volume prevented me from enjoying it. Those loud bass notes slammed into my chest with the force of a jackhammer. I wished for some kind of barrier between me and the amplifiers.
When Jeff Foxworthy came out we forgot all about the battering from the music. For the next two hours we laughed almost nonstop. The volume was perfect.
It was refreshing to listen to a comedian who didn’t rely on dirty words or crudeness to evoke laughter. The bit he did on his first colonoscopy was hilarious. The stage antics made it even funnier.
It was over too soon. I hugged my brothers and their wives goodbye. We parted ways with the memory of a good day spent with ones we love.
The fair and the comedian were wonderful, but it was even better to share it with family I don’t see as often any more. We parted ways with promises to do it again.
Someday. I can’t wait.