Trebby

The most frustrating part for me about not living close to family is the difficulty of developing a relationship with the younger members of the family. It is difficult maintaining relationships with anyone over a long distance, but maintaining a relationship with someone who can't use email, doesn't have a Facebook account and isn't interested in having more than a 30 second phone conversation can be a little more challenging.

One of the highlights of the recent holiday family reunion was getting reacquainted with our nephew Trevon (aka Trebby). Trebby has an infectious smile and an unabashed aproach with people that will win over even the most cold-hearted individual within a matter of minutes. I loved watching him announce himself as he would come into a room full of people. "My here!" he would exlaim with a huge smile on his face. Or exclaiming, "My found him!" after successfully locating another family member in another room.


One mornig, Trebby came downstairs wearing an oversized Storm Trooper helmet. The big helmet on his short frame made him look like a character right out of a Lego Star Wars game. We all had a good laugh.


Perhaps the most memorable "Trebby" moment for me was on Sunday afternoon after we had all finished eating lunch. I was lying down on the couch for a few minutes and Trebby ran over and climbed up on me. Apparently he decided that he needed some rest too.


I really enjoyed getting to know Trebby a little better during his visit. When I dropped everyone off at the airport for their long flight back to London, I gave everyone a hug. Trebby wouldn't let go of me after I gave him a hug and when I tried to set him down and leave he grabbed my leg and held on for dear life. Yeah, that made leaving the airport a whole lot easier . . . it just about ripped my heart out of my chest, but getting to spend some time with Trebby during his visit was worth the painful goodbye.