Now I know why my grandmother didn’t…

“Grandpa” Nyel

When the Bays family arrives in Oysterville — usually once or twice a year — we are treated like honorary grandparents.  And we feel very honored, indeed!  We’ve known Willie and Owen since before they were born and have watched them grow (and grow and grow) into delightful young men.  Willie is now 17 (almost 18) and is 6’3; Owen is 14 (soon to be 15) and is a bit shy of six feet.  Both are accomplished musicians (Willie, the Irish flute; Owen the Irish concertina) and both are interested in “lifting” for fitness.

Owen Bays

We “inherited” our friendship with their dad, Randal, about the time we inherited Vespers twenty-some years ago.   Randal was one  of the early musicians (he’s an Irish fiddler and guitar player) to participate in the  Summer Music Vespers when the services were first conceived by my folks.  He played our first-ever House !Concert back in 2001 and brought his (now) wife Susan (also an Irish fiddler) to meet us shortly after they met.  I would gladly “adopt” them both, but being Oysterville grandparents to their boys is perfect.

Willie Bays

They arrived here on Friday and, somehow, the time has flown by.  It’s been non-stop eating and visiting and figuring out what to do about their ailing car. (It was the alternator.) There was a trip across the river to rent a car, a phone call or two to find a Peninsula repair place open on Saturday and another trip or two to deliver the ailing car, pick up the repaired car, and return the rental car.

Meanwhile, Nyel’s wound-vac went wonky and kept us up most of the night.  The Bays Family Irish Band geared up for Vespers (which was fabulous!) and I suddenly realized that I had not blogged since midnight before last.  Well… my grandmother never blogged either.  And now I know why!

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