Reunion!

Yesterday my Lexington area family members came over for dinner to honor their visiting Uncle Don and Aunt Kathleen, on their way from a Canada vacation to home in South Florida.  We had a fabulous time!  The last time Don and Kathleen saw my granddaughter, Sarah, now 11, was when she was six weeks old at Don and my Father's death in 2003 (Sarah didn't remember that!).  Everyone ate and chatted for hours.

Last night, Kathleen, Don, and I ate dinner at Coba restaurant.  They are standing in front of the Moon Jellyfish tank.

Gathered for a mini-reunion, as related to me, kneeling in front: Daughter #7, Marie, Carole's children Claire, Sarah, & Benjamin (Elizabeth had to go to work and left), in back, from left: Heather (who is daughter #4 Theresa's daughter (her son, John, was working, as was Theresa), my brother, Don & sister-in-law, Kathleen, me/Jan, and daughter #2, Carole.  Marie's husband, Charles, was the photographer.  7/28/14.

What exactly are the benefits of any kind of a special reunion?  First, it's so good to see folks you haven't seen for a long time.  Next, it's important for children to know the relatives who live far away that they rarely, if ever, get to see.  Then, it's fun and the food is great!

Most of the time, our 'reunions' have happened at either weddings or funerals.  This one was just for fun!

You hear of lots of folks skipping their high school reunions.  I don't understand why they don't want to go.  Everyone has grown up!  Of course, there might be a little of the juvenile 'cattiness,' so what!  I was able to travel to Louisville, Kentucky, for all but one of my high school reunions and all of my elementary school reunions!  I enjoyed each and every one!  However, the older you get, it seems that some more of your old friends pass away.  But there are bonds to be maintained!

The first elementary school reunion we held came 25  years after graduation.  It was great to see our 'brothers and sisters!'

There were teachers at some of the reunions.  That also was interesting.  They couldn't have been much older than we were at the time!

Dear Lord, thank you very, very much for a very successful family reunion!  Please watch over Kathleen and Don on their long drive back home to Florida!