I love my family

I have to say that I truly love my family. My entire extended family. I am absolutely, unabashedly in love with them all. Spending the weekend at the annual family reunion just reinforced this feeling. I look around at any of the gatherings and am just amazed and awed by all of the people present. What an amazing legacy of Charles and Jewell, of Willis Jackson and Mary Virginia, of Minnie and George.

                                              Partial reunion group at Magruder Hall

I love that my dear Uncle Ernest and Aunt Marjorie were so courageous and made the very long, very difficult journey out here to MO. This will be the last time they make that trip alone, but they made it. And we were so honored to have them here with us. It truly brings me to tears.

I love that my super talented cousin, Chris shares his passion for arrowheads and the associated history with all of us. And that he and Wanda are so generous with their time and their home - to invite us all out to their place for a yummy dinner and great music. These two fine folks are among the hardest working people I know. And also the most loyal and loving. They bless us all.

I love that my cousins, Stephanie and Shannon bring Aunt Carolyn to so many events. Not only does it give us the blessing of seeing Aunt Carolyn, it gives us wonderful moments with them, as well. I so appreciate that the commitment to family and family gatherings is evident in the next generations. They are marvelous examples for all of us.

I love that the connections go across the generations.... the sense of humor, the laughter.... is so evident in everyone.

I love that each year, family from all around the country makes the enormous effort to block off that weekend in July and travel to be together for the reunion. Remarkable! It isnʼt easy to do and this group consistently gets it done!!!

I love that our family has honorary members.... people that have become like family to us across the years.... and that they are also willing to come join us!!!

I love that we remember our roots. That we spend time each year talking about those who have gone on before us. That we share a marvelous oral history (although we really have to work to get that oral history documented!)

Julie pointing out Dora Mae in photo in her office

I love that my family is a family of faith. That is the single greatest legacy that has been handed down generation after generation. This is a family that is united by the common bonds of shared history and shared faith. It goes far beyond even Oak Ridge, but that is a good symbol and we cherish all that it represents.

I love that my family is diverse, that we each have our own talents and interests, that united we can be a powerful force. I love that my children are recognizing the joys of family and the uniqueness of these kinds of bonds. They realize that not very many families are like this.... that it is something to cherish and to protect..... and that it requires a lot of work to keep something like this going. My prayer is that as the torch passes to our generation that we can pledge to not let it slip away.... that we continue to protect and grow this special legacy of family, of faith, and of love.

I truly love my family. What a blessing. Thank you all!!!

1 Comment
Hannah
WONDERFUL post!! thank you Aunt Laura for recording and reflecting all the moments you have on this blog, it's amazing and beautiful! love you and miss you!
Friday, August 22, 2008 - 10:25 PM

Family Reunion - Sunday

Sunday we headed down to Lentner to the old home church at Oak Ridge. What a special place. This is the church that Marjorie and Carolyn literally grew up in - and that Charles, Jack and Mitch spent their young childhoods attending. It always feels like going back home. Lots of cousins still live in the area and attend there so we get to see even more wonderful family.

Julie played piano for the service.

It was doubly special to spend the day at Oak Ridge with Aunt Marjorie

Becky and Marjorie

Jackson and Parker

Inside Oak Ridge....

And outside Oak Ridge...

Daddy and John Howard

We moved to the Annex building next door for a lovely lunch and more visiting time.

The next generation....
Susanna, Jackson, Parker, Evan, Jonathan

For those who were still in town, we met Sunday night at Kingʼs Buffet. Can you tell we like to eat a lot at these reunions?? Could be something to do with that family motto.... “We donʼt eat till weʼre full, we eat till weʼre tired!” Oh my...... maybe I shouldnʼt be sharing that publicly. :)

Rachel and Hannah

Vanessa and Cole

Jackson, Cole, and Jonathan... is this not cute??  :) 

Cousins - Charles III, Julie, Kerry, Laura, Chris

More cousins!  Susanna, Hannah, Jackson, Jonathan, Rachel

You can see an entire album of photos from the reunion at this link...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157693592308874

Family Reunion - Saturday Night

Saturday evening we headed over to Chris and Wandaʼs house. The weather was just perfect (after a steaming hot day) and we enjoyed sitting around visiting and listening to the band (including Charles III and even Uncle Charles!). Chris and Wanda are amazing! They keep their place looking immaculate (how do they do that???) and always throw a wonderful party. This visit we got a special treat from Chris... he brought a bunch of the kids (of ALL ages!!) inside and shared his incredible arrowhead collection with us. My goodness, he has amassed an amazing collection! And all from right there on their own property! I filmed a short video clip of him telling about his collection and hope to have it back online soon.  

Here are some photos of Saturday night at Chris and Wandaʼs...

kids playing football

Joel and David

band on the porch

Marvin, Daddy, Mama, Becky, Julie

Uncle Charles and Daddy 

Uncle Charles joined the band on the porch and told a few stories. Hilarious!

And here is Uncle Charles playing the ukulele

Chrisʼs amazing arrowhead collection!

you can see all the other photos (including lots of close-ups) at this link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157693592308874

Family Reunion - Thursday to Saturday morning

Just a few days after we returned from Wyoming we hosted the annual family reunion here in town. I always look forward to and enjoy our family reunions, but I think this was one of the best years ever! We were so excited that Marjorie and Ernest were able to make it, although we know the trip was very hard on them. And my boys were thrilled to have Parker and Evan come all the way from Virginia. The 4 of them made fast friends, that is for sure!

We began the festivities with dinner Thursday night at the lake (for those who made it to town by then). That is Jonathanʼs favorite restaurant and he ordered 2 side salads. Turns out that while Mom and I were gone, Grandpa and Marvin took the boys to the lake TWICE! And Grandpa didnʼt bat an eye when Jonathan asked for a second side salad.... even offered him a third! Sort of raised the bar there.... :)

The reunion continued Friday morning with visiting and Go Kart riding.

Jackson “supervising” Evan and Jonathan :)

Evan and Jonathan

Friday evening we gathered for a meal at Mom and Dadʼs

....where Uncle Ernest made a wonderful presentation of photo DVDʼs for everyone containing about 2000 pictures from all the past 31 reunions!! WOW!

Saturday morning was spent horseback riding

Evan on Governor

Charlie on Runner

Parker on Governor

While the rest of us hung out and watched :)

This is what happens when you ask your son to smile “nicely” for the camera...

Then we all headed to town for lunch at Magruder Hall. It was a very nice event.

A few of us took a quick tour of Julie's office after lunch.  Then we headed across the hall to view Daddy's portrait.

I think I had better make a new post for the rest of the reunion activities.... this one is getting long! :)

You can see an entire album of photos at this link... https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157693592308874