Earlier this year I was able to visit Texas for the first time in a long time. My mother in law’s best friend had a buddy ticket. It let’s friends and family fly for free, as long as you are willing to fly standby.

After I hung up with her, I called Will and told him about the gift she was giving us. He suggested I use it to visit my family. Particularly to visit my dad, who I had not seen in almost four years.

I could have used it to go to New York. Had it been last year, when we were paying our own way up, I would have. But now I had this rare opportunity. Feeling excited about the prospect of being with my family again, I started making plans.

I have a younger sister and brother who also live in Texas. We’re very close, but it had been a long time since we were all in one place together. It this age of technology and social media you can keep in touch, but it doesn’t beat a face to face connection.

This post isn’t about the entire time we spent together. It’s about a series of pictures we took on my sister’s phone when we visited the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

They feature art throughout the gardens. I don’t know the artist’s name, but he displayed beautifully sculpted, life sized angels. Near the entrance, there were a couple of steps leading up to a small platform. Suspended behind this were large, ornate wings. I think they were made of copper.

I was so excited. Of course I wanted a picture with angel wings! I leapt up the steps. Kat snapped a picture. She did not intend for it to be taken in sepia, but that’s what happened. Came out pretty darn good, in my opinion.

I took another, because why not? How often do you get to pose in front of giant wings?

Yep, I know. What. A. Dork.

It was Kat’s turn. She made a pretty bad ass angel.

We managed to convince David to join in our silliness.

Then we traveled the gardens for several hours. It was the middle of the week and we had the place mostly to ourselves. As we were leaving, I had the idea for a re-enactment of some painting I seen. Kat was going to carry me away with her wings.

It was difficult to keep a straight face. Really, any time we’re together, there’s always laughter.

We decided that David should get involved because of his majestic mane.

David’s turn to carry me away.

Nope. That wasn’t quite what I was going for.

My sister has infectious laughter. If she starts, I quickly follow. Hence the next picture.

I just want to stop for a minute. Would I say the next picture is blasphemy? No, and here’s why. Firstly, I think imitation of great art is truly a compliment to the art and its subjects. Secondly, God is in my heart and I felt only love and connection with the two people that I had been given me to walk through my childhood with. And lastly? I’d like to think there were angels standing around us also getting a kick out of the scene before them.

So, on that note: Go ahead and scroll down.

Nailed it.

 

To my little sister and baby brother ~ I love you. oxox