What a Wonderful Cousin's Reunion!

For all of you who came, it was a special treat seeing each and every one of you, meeting your families, getting and giving hugs, seeing the smiles (and sometimes the tears). The weather cooperated -- no storms during our get-togethers, and just enough sunshine.

For those of you who couldn't make it, and those who have gone before us, we missed you and we shared memories of each one of you as well.

On Friday, we had a wonderful get-together with perhaps 18-20 first-cousins and their spouses. On Saturday we had 112 all-together, with 24 of us who were born to the children of Oscar and Teckla. We looked at so many photos and I took home so many more photos that will be posted in the future. We talked about the Family Tree, and so much more.

Back row: Nancy, Ronnie, Davey, Gerald, Earl, Lloyd, Paul, Jay, Larry and Tommy

Middle Row: Norene, Doris, Cathy, Joan, Uncle Marlin, Aunt Joyce, Terry and Jim

Front Row: Eugene, George, Roger, Susie, Billy, Ruth Ann, Janet and Ted

Between one-to-one conversations and in small groups, we shared our dreams, our nightmares, our lives and how they all intertwine with each other. Sometimes we looked at each other long and hard, knowing we should know who we were looking at but not quite sure who it was, and then discovering it was a dearly loved cousin or how we were related -- and after a few minutes of talking together, the years fell away and we wondered why we didn't know each other immediately. Others walked in with a smile and a quick hug, and it was like we had been together just yesterday.

Thank you all for coming! Thank you, Roger, for deciding this was the year you were going to plan a Cousin's Reunion. For all those who weren't there, we felt your presence and we spoke of each of you with love.

Thank you for the music -- "young" Davey DeVowe's older sons entertained us with music! Steven played his (our Grandfather's and refurbished) violin for us, and Michael played the cello -- beautiful music floated over us. The hymns were wonderful, and my tears came when they played "How Great Thou Art", that beautiful Swedish hymn.

 Steven and Michael

For those of you who took photos, please share them with us! I have lots and lots of new "early" photos as well, and promises of those who said they will send memories. These will be posted after I post photos of our multi-day reunion.....

Thank you for bringing your favorite recipes, and your favorite cookies and bars. There was no way we could have run out of food. Pasties were wonderful, and we all ate our fill (and some of us did a little over-filling as well) of all the potluck offerings. There is nothing like a good old fashioned pot luck at a very special gathering!

As always, we all appreciate comments -- the more comments the better. Each new memory sparks a new memory in others. Please share with us. And --

                          "Thanks for the Memories!"