Monday, September 1, 2014

Family Reunion - Labor Day 2014

This is the second of several upcoming posts in arrears.

Knowing how seriously ill he was, I conciously decided not to capture my anguish and broken heart over my brother's health on the blog. After all, the original idea of blogging was to replace the camping scrapbooks I'd kept before retirement -- good memories. Enjoyable and full of laughter while looking at pictures and remembering where we'd traveled.  I feared Macky's impending death would haunt me enough without memoralizing these difficult days in writing and in pictures to review over and over again as I aged.  My camera was put away in a drawer.

Nevertheless, good things happened as they always do and I decided to go back and post at least most of what's happened in late August, September, October and early November.

Macky was released from University of Alabama Medical Center Hospital in Birmingham just days before our 8-day marathon drive from the Puget Sound in Washington to North Alabama.

Although his health was frail and his prognosis poor, Macky was feeling well enough to enjoy frequent afternoon visits us at the campground. As August came to an end and September began, several of our family members began asking about visiting him. Knowing Macky could take a turn for the worse any day, I was happy to oblige the many inquiries by inviting everyone to a Labor Day family gathering.

A nice group of some favorite family members arrived and we sweltered in the humidity under the shade of the great oak tree that towered over our campsite.  We ate good food, shared old memories, laughed and had a good time.  My camera even came out of the drawer for a limited engagement.

Sam and Missy, Patricia, Vickie, Teresa, Frieda, Martha and Carlie.

Going clockwise, starting at the left. Standing is Jeanine holding her grandson, Donna, Macky, Bruce, Mike and  Peggy, Teresa, Sam, Missy, Patricia, Bruce and Carlie and Freida.

More of the same folks, with the addition of of Wayne and Jeanine's husband, whose name I forgot. Maybe Keith? 
It has been years since I'd seen most of these relatives from our Mother's family.  Such a good time.

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