Our family reunion

When I took my very brief bloggy break, I travelled with my family to upper Michigan, the homeland of my grandfather, for reunion with my kin folk up there.

In my new header is a picture of my grandfather’s family. My grandpa is the handsome tall dark haired youth standing in the back, second from the left. Seated are his mother and father, and around them are their children, all ten of them.

Perhaps this is why my bristles go up when I hear disparaging remarks about large families. I grew up knowing most of those ten children when they were adults, as my great aunts and uncles. I even got to know my great-grandmother Lawerta before she passed on in the late 70s. All of those children grew up to be successful, contributing members of society. They became farmers, business people, and teachers and homemakers. They raised children that also became contributors to society. I can’t for the life of me understand why there is such a visceral reaction against another baby in a large family when so much good can come out of it! But I digress.

The little girl standing next to her father is my Aunt Dorothy. My little daughter was named for her – Rosie’s full name is Maryrose Dorothy.

The reunion was held at the home of Aunt Dorothy’s daughter. They have a lovely home out in the country. Aside from their house, they have a log cabin that was assembled piece by piece after it was moved from its original location down by a local creek. The food was all inside the cabin for us to help ourselves. There was also a bit of room to sit and eat, or you could eat outside.

There was a quilting frame so folks could sit and chat and have something to do with their fingers.

There were hay rides, bubbles, canoeing, jump road, tree swings, and just sharing memories and laughter.

My cousin Phyllis who passed away last winter was Aunt Dorothy’s youngest daughter. She was certainly present in spirit with us at least. A few tears were shed as well. A large family comforting each other – a testimony to faith.

My kids met cousins they didn’t even know they had.

Friendships were forged.

Lake Michigan was visited.

Looking forward to next year.

More pictures here.

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