Family Reunion

Two remaining children of my paternal grandparents (My Dad and his sis)

4th generation

3rd generation

2nd generation



And all that Food!

Aren't family reunions great! We don't see our extended family very much throughout the year. My paternal grandparents had already passed away before I was born, even before my parents were married, but their family stayed close. There were 12 or 14 children, two died young, (forgive me for not knowing exactly ... - my mom also had a large family 10 children in her family - I had lots of Aunts, Uncles and cousins). They were each others friends and family. We got together with all of them off and on throughout the years. Plus the summer family reunion and a big Christmas gathering too.

However, as my Aunts and Uncles began to pass away, our family got together less and less, to where it now seems like we see each other more at funerals than anywhere else. So our family reunions are important. Of all of my Dads brothers and sisters (and their spouses) only my dad (& my mom) and one of his sisters remain alive.

Funny thing is though, we all gather together, bring all of this great southern comfort food, pile our plates high, and go find a seat and always wind up sitting with our own immediate families anyway! We leave not knowing much more about our extended family than just how they have changed in looks, which we do manage to memorialize with all the photographs taken! Some of us discussed this while today's reunion was winding down and next year, we are going to suggest that we all share our meal times with family NOT in our immediate families. I wonder if we will remember this 12 months from now.

Til later, V