Redneck Reunion

When we finally rolled up in the driveway, I hopped out of the truck that had been my haven for over 15 grueling hours. I had been in contact with Dad throughout the day, letting him know how we were progressing along the way. As he walked towards me, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Please know that I had been an emotional wreck all day thinking about this very moment in time. He gave me a great big ol' bear hug that seemed like had lasted forever. He almost squeezed the very life out of me. It felt good. He sobbed... I was clearly not myself. For the first time that I can remember, I was hugging my biological father and was proud of the fact. It was an awesome feeling.

We set up our camper and then the "catching up" began. We talked well into the night...

Saturday was amazingly crazy... people I have longed to meet all my life began rolling up and we had one heck of a party. There was so much hugging, kissing and talking going on, I lost track of who I had already met and the ones I needed to.

Dad and I cooked so many hamburgers that afternoon, I didn't think I'd ever want to see another one again. It was a blast... my Dad and I talked as we cooked. He's so funny... loves to make people laugh and have a good time... exactly what I was hoping for. I wasn't disappointed in the least.

Liz, my daughter and her boyfriend Andy made the trip as well. Of course every body loved them, and they loved all the Harrington's too.

My Uncle Gary, AJ (Aunt Janice) and her friend Ed had to leave early, but we kept right on partying. You'd have to go to my FaceBook page to see all the photos for full proof of this very fact. It was a joyous occasion. I was thrilled with the open display of love I witnessed and felt that day. It's really hard to believe how much they all seemed to genuinely love and care for one another... was I dreaming?

Sunday we traveled to Nashville with Liz and Andy. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and burned up the calories walking around downtown. We left Liz and Andy in Nashville and made our way to the little town I grew up in, Camden. It hasn't changed much.... they do have Walmart Super Center now! We then returned to my Dad's to continue our "Redneck Reunion." More eating, and lots more talking...

Jesse made sure that Dad got a chance to view the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. We all laughed a lot, and I drifted off into la la land... Darlene took pics to prove it... I'm gonna getcha woman... ha!

Jesse loved the creek behind the house. Wendy did too... they were back there quite a bit.

Monday was a day for visiting Harrington historical sites. We took a lot of pics of where my grandparents (Rhodes and Harrington) lived, worked and played. The Harrington cemetery was a highlight for me. While I never got the opportunity of actually meeting my grandparents on Dad's side, I can at least say I visited their grave sites... I love hearing all the stories of Grandma Flossie & Grandpa H...

Tuesday was a sad day... we said our goodbyes and began our long drive back home. There was drama...

As we exited to eat at a Waffle House in Paducah, Wendy noticed the truck was making noise. It progressively got worse and this caused Wendy a lot of stress. She spoke with her brother, a mechanic, and he felt it was the brakes. He said we could probably limp home, but that didn't happen. We broke down in Rockford, IL... Wendy put this on her FaceBook status and one of her online friends came to the rescue. What are the odds... they put us up for the evening, the truck was repaired the next morning and we finally made it home around 7 pm Wednesday the 27th.

There were a lot of what you'd call "miracles" on this trip. I want to thank God for watching over us, as the front tire could have come off, had we tried to go any further...

I'm really not sure exactly who all will read this, but know this... I have reunited with a family that I am finding to be a dream come true... I'm proud to be a Harrington. I'm proud of my Dad. I can't wait to go to visit Tennessee and be with everyone again...

I have two brothers (Michael, James Jr) and a sister too, Casey...

A whole horde of cousins (Gina, Janna & Shawn), nephews and nieces... goodness gracious... I know I'm forgetting somebody... Lord, I'm sorry about that right there...

Dad, you have a wonderful wife, whom I'm very proud to have in my life now... she's a dang good cook too... luv ya Darlene.

Dad - I love you man. Remember this... I ain't never gonna let you go...