Ginny’s two brothers, spouses and children also sang and danced and played instruments.  Their children all play instruments from the woodwind family, while their mother’s played flutes, and their father’s played instruments from the brass family of instruments.  Ginny’s brothers would play the saxophone and tuba, to be precise.  Her husband played his guitar. 

Rachel misses those special times now more than ever, because she hasn’t seen her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for so many years.  Her family would become too involved with their own lives, that that is never time on their busy schedule to visit the rest of the family, especially when the entire family is spread out to far.  They always intend to visit them, but never get around to it.

            It is late in the evening when Ginny comes outside to talk to Rachel.  The sound of the crickets fills the atmosphere with the music that immerses one’s spirit with serenity.  Ginny climbs the steps leading up to the tree house, and walks up to Rachel who is sitting on the floor, huddled against the wall of the tree house with her arms wrapped around her legs, and her face buried in her knees.  “Rachel, what’s troubling you?”

            “I miss my grandparents.  Grandma Martha and Grandpa Henry John, to be precise.  Why did we ever stop visiting them, mom?  They are the major part of our family.  You always told us, when we were little, that there is nothing more valuable than family.  Has your thinking changed with regard to that subject?”      

            “No, sweetheart, it hasn’t.  At least not my values, anyway.  Your father and I would love to visit your grandparents, but timing hasn’t been right.  We have our professions, and you and your brothers have…”

“That’s no excuse,” Jenny shrieks as she interrupts her mother, “because we can always make the time to visit them.  Can’t you and dad take your vacation time?”

            “I’m afraid not.  I was away for three weeks in Paris doing a job for a well to do client, redesigning her Penthouse.  You know that.  You also know that your father must travel on business, as well.  There just is never any time left for visiting your grandparents.  We go where we are needed.  In doing so, we take you kids with us on our work related trips, so we can spend time with you during the days when we aren’t working.  This is a beautiful means for you kids to get an education through hands on learning about the arts, history, and culture of the countries, cities and states we go to,” Ginny says soothingly, while stroking Rachel’s hair.

            “Mom, Grandma Martha and Grandpa Henry aren’t getting any younger.  What are we going to do?  Are you and dad going to wait until they are so ill that they are dying, or have already died?  I’m sorry, mom, but I want to visit them now that they are still living.  We need to make the effort.  We must make time for them.  Please don’t wait until it’s too late.  You have only one mother and one father.”