I'm a lousy traveler. Always have been --- I remember my
Dad always telling me in the car to put down my book/puzzle/crayons/doll/etc. and look outside at the scenery. I couldn't have cared less --- still don't! I'm certainly not a road trip warrior, but we just returned from an almost 3000 mile car trip to California and back again (I read three books along the way).
Dad always telling me in the car to put down my book/puzzle/crayons/doll/etc. and look outside at the scenery. I couldn't have cared less --- still don't! I'm certainly not a road trip warrior, but we just returned from an almost 3000 mile car trip to California and back again (I read three books along the way).
Sometimes, the destination is worth the journey. This time it was!
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| The view outside the living room of our personal log cabin! |
Here we are now in our 70s -- look at all of that white unruly hair with cow-licks galore just like our ancestors!
We spent the four days talking, reminiscing, remembering our grade school days, and trying to figure out and identify our ancestors from photos. Our spouses must have been bored to death. And, of course we talked about our kids, grandkids, and we ate great food, then we ate again and again!
Below is one of the pictures taken in the summer of 1940 that was unearthed in our discussions. I love this picture as it tells so many stories. It must have been Sunday as the men are all in their white shirts, ties, but most noticeably they are not wearing hats. These were all hard working farmers/ranchers descending from pioneers who homesteaded in Colorado in 1876. Without their hats they had tanned faces and white foreheads. I see a story in each and every smile, frown, or side-way glance.
All are deceased now except the older boy in the middle and the three of us babies on the left side. It was wonderful for the three of us along with our hostess, a younger sibling (not born at the time of the picture), to reunite.
The scenery at the lake house, even though beautiful, was not the most wonderful thing of the destination. It was the coming together of the family that was the most joyous.
If the possibility exists, don't hesitate to reunite with family.
IT'S WORTH THE JOURNEY!
I'm joining the following:
A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Backyard Neighbor for Blue Monday
11 comments:
Hi Sally! Oh, I'm sure you had such a wonderful time at your cousin reunion. I had one a few years back in Alabama. I'm sure there were lots of family stories being told. I just love that. That is a loooooooooong road trip to take. I like to read in the car too but my hubby just won't let me - look at this! look at that! So I don't bother anymore! ;) Now wash those dirty clothes and rest up.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I just love this old photo !! :) I am so glad that you enjoyed your reunion; we had one about 5 years ago and it was wonderful.
You are so lucky to know of cousins still alive and where they are. How wonderful to be able to get together.
I have bestest friend from Tucson who goes to family reunion of her Dad's family with one or two of her sisters every year in Sept. How I'd love to do that also. Was lucky enuf to find 2nd. cousins in PA few years ago thru my brother in Tucson. She found him on internet. Altho they no longer communicate her and sister have come thru Grand Junction few times in past years and we communicate on Facebook.
We missed them this summer since hubs and I went on our first vacation in years to San Diego and Tucson but they'll be back thru in late Fall she said. It seems we even lived in San Diego for couple years they lived/worked there but didn't know about each other. I was so happy to find out about them. They also both worked here inn Grand Junction but that was way before I knew about them.
My brother doesn't seem to care about keeping up with relatives but I sure do.
I have many photos like yours as I was born in Cleveland in 1940. All my Mothers family were there so photos are of all of them mostly and our family. I have drug photo albums all over this country , wouldn't ever think of not keeping them. My parents were avid picture takers.
When I was 10 we moved to Tucson for my brothers health. Have no idea where cousins on my Mothers side are as they're all older than I am and my Mom passed away in 1997.
I went to Tucson in 2008 for my 50th. high school reunion. Had contacted my brother before and asked if we could get together but when I called him in Tucson he couldn't be bothered. Haven't seen each other for at least 30 yrs. if not more. Only way I see him now is on Facebook but he's not interested in keeping up. I do communicate with two of his daughters on Facebook. Can't make somebody care. He's 81 now and I'm 76, our b/d's are 4 days apart.
Have wonderful rest of week and weekend. Glad for you to have gotten to see cousins.
Great photos, I love family reunions, but sadly ours stopped shorty after my Grandma died. That was a long trip . . . I love to read or take a nap, but my hubby says he gets sleepy driving if I'm not talking to him, so no rest for me, LOL.
WOW this is fantastic. I am lucky that as the eldest grandchild on my mother's side I know where all my cousins are with the exception of one who left (never knew why) and disappeared at least 30 years ago.
The only one we have lost is my sister and she was way too young.
On my father's side, all my cousins are in Ireland and England and also lost a cousin on that side as well at an early age.
Love the white foreheads!!!
This sounds like a wonderful reunion with your family! The happy faces are so great to see.
Sally, you made me laugh with your 'horrible traveler' story. I am the opposite. I have to look up and enjoy every minute of scenery. If I don't, I get car sick. Could never read a book or do any hand work in a car ever! Love both the old and new photo. Family is everything! We just had cousins come from Ohio, Colorado, and New Mexico come for a family reunion at a park just down the road from my home. We did a lot of the same things you did. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I love this post, Sally...I love family reunions so much...we used to have one every year but when all the old folks died off and the younger ones scattered to all parts of the US, we stopped having it. Now, WE are the older ones but none of the younger ones want to take their vacation time gathering with folks they don't know...can't say as I blame them...all 4 siblings of Bill's are gone...all my cousins live too far away to see very often...
So glad u had such a good time...
Oh I am so glad for you! What a wonderful thing that you all could manage to get together. These days it's tough enough to see your own brothers and sisters. It breaks my heart that my own seven kids live so spread out from one another. The cabin would have been just the thing for me! I have the Country Home mag too. SO many pretty rooms in there. I'm ready for a second look at everything! Happy reading!
That is great that you got to visit! I lovd seeing all the cousins when I was a child. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Hello Sally,I just returned home from a road trip to have cousin reunions maternal and paternal. We are like your photo. Gray haired and really happy to see each other. I love the vintage photo you shared. It sure puts me in mind of the many who have passed on in our family as well. I have to say, if I read or do anything except view the scenery I would be car sick. Sigh. We do listen to books that are recorded and love it. We get the best authors and top rated books and I doubt I would read all of them any other way.
Thank you for joining Blue Monday.
xo, Jeanne
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