Family Reunion

My mother grew up with her 10 brothers and sisters in a little town, she called "The Burg." Her three older brothers and sisters are deceased, so at 84 she is the eldest. Every year the family gathers for a reunion. This year, it was my mother's turn to oganize the event. My sister reserved the pavillion, mailed cards to famiy members, shopped with my dad for food, condiments, paper products, candies and nuts. My brother went to the house and drove the pick up loaded with supplies to the park. My husband, oldest daughter who flew in from DC and I met my brother early Sunday morning and started putting tablecloths on the tables. I was the official "greeter and onion and lemon slicer!" I looked over by the grilling area and saw my cousin and my uncle flipping burgers and turning brats and hot dogs. Everyone brought a dish to pass--potato salad, beans, coleslaw, veggie trays, fruit, cakes, brownies, pies, and cookies. All of my parents' granchildren were there except for two. I saw my nephew for the first time since his accident two years which left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. He told me about the basketball team he is on and dining at different restaurants. I never miss my family's reunion because one never knows if this might be the last time to share a laugh.