First Sibling/Family Reunion

This past weekend, was the first - of hopefully many - Sibling/Family Reunions for our family. I know that may seem to be a strange "name", but having lost both parents last summer within 101 days, and never having had a Family Reunion prior to their deaths, I guess it just fits! We found a beautiful Campground 15 miles from our parent's former home, owned and operated by a Minister. (He uses it during the summer weeks for children's camps, and on week-ends, rents it out to other groups.)

We had checked it out last fall and wanted to just stay the night right then and there. We were in love with everything we saw. Needless to say, when we all arrived this year and saw 2-3 new additions to the Campground, we were even more impressed.

To say we had a GREAT TIME would be an understatement. There was not one time the whole week-end that the words, "I'm bored" were ever uttered by any child, of any age. That is truly amazing; you know that if you are a parent. There were multiple things to "do" for people of every age. A fenced and gated play land for small children, a slide down into the river for frolicking and swimming, canoes, paddle boats, fishing, a fire pit and a wonderful "chuck wagon" set-up for us to make meals and eat under a great pavilion. There were showers with hot water and inside bathrooms, 6 cute bunk houses with 6 bunks each and a roll-away-bed, and a chapel-like gazebo.




We cleaned up after supper and Friday night and then spent the rest of the evening around the fire pit. Up early the next morning, many were milling about with their first, morning cup of coffee. Breakfast was served and then we just visited while we waited for family members not able to "stay for the week-end" to arrive for the Main Event; Lunch~! 32 family members were in attendance, although 16 were missing.

What a great time we had with all the "little people" and "babies" in the family that came in for the Lunch; the newest member of the family being only 15 days old; my g-daughter, Piper Marie!



Saturday night, the guys went into town and brought back pizza, which gave us all a break from cooking. :~) After eating pizza, it was back to the fire pit for more visiting, laughing and S'mores~~!

Sunday morning, after a breakfast of home-made biscuits and sausage gravy, vans and cars were packed up and good-bye hugs were made.

One brother-in-law said to me on Sunday morning, "this was a wonderful time - no disagreements, not a hint of anything negative", and he was so right.

The only thing that brought tears to my eyes as I drove home was the fact that this would never have taken place, had Mom and Dad not passed away last summer. Sometimes, it takes what it takes..... But, we ALL know they are in a MUCH BETTER PLACE than the best Campground on earth. I have thanks in my heart for parents who taught us that "earth was just part of the journey in our life to reaching our eternal destination".