But You Are Not Blood

But You Are Not Blood.

My aunt and uncle, Karen and Jim Williams, visit the parents of Karen annually in December for a weekend, usually between Christmas and the New Years. I am not sure when I first knew this, but I think that in 2003, when I was 18 years old, I asked my mom if she could ask her sister Karen if I could tag along.

I went with them twice I believe. I went like in 2003 and 2004 or something like that. Two different years. My aunt and uncle lived in Warrenton, Oregon USA. They drove a few hours to Forest Grove to pick me up. We drive a few hours to Roseburg.

My aunt Karen Williams is the sister of my mom. Their mom died when my mom was about 20 years old. We went to Roseburg to see my mom's dad, Richard "Dick" Erwin Morehead and his new wife "Skip" who kind of talked snobby and proudful about her ancestors or something like that. She kind of wispered that one of her relatives or ancestors may have a labourer, but she'd be ashamed of that. I made a joke, and was serious, at the dinner table, and said to Skip that she is not blood.

Me, Karen, & Jim went back into the car, & Jim was proud of what I said and he would tell others about it. It is something that Jim would say to until he died in August 2008. We were back in the car to see Jim's relatives, which I liked more than my own.



December 2003
18 years old
Roseburg, Oregon, United States
Joey Arnold, The Original Oatmeal