How can it be?

Recently I put together a powerpoint presentation of pictures from the cousins reunion we have ever year in the spring down in Alabama, on land that has been in our family since it was deeded from the government back in the 1800s.  Looking at this picture, fills me with awe.  Here we are, lined up by age.  That's me on the far left in the yellow shirt (the oldest) on down to Richard, the youngest.  The space in the center is in memory of Paul, our cousin who drowned in 1961.  Actually, I"m the third oldest of the gang.  Our two oldest cousins rarely attend.

I grew up with these "kids."  Then I married and moved to New York State and for 30 something years, I mostly didn't see these guys.  I remember at my father's funeral ten years ago, Debbie came up and gave me a hug and I had no idea who she was!

How can it be, seemingly in the blink of an eye, we changed from little kids to old people???  We have had our share of bumps and bruises along the way, but we still know how to have a good time and we look forward to the reunion every year.  I think the one thing that stands out as I look at this picture is how much like our "ancestors" we are!  There is Kenny, white shirt, third from right, who is sooo much like his dad, our Uncle Harding!  Uncle Harding was one of those people who could make you laugh for hours and so can Kenny!  We all have that Morgan stubborn streak and those same Southern conservative values.  We will all tell you, we were raised in classrooms where the pledge of allegiance to the flag and the Lord's Prayer were recited every day and we all turned out the better for it.  My dad and Uncle Harding each served in the military during World War II, so we have a respect and appreciation for our military.

None of us are wealthy in terms of dollars.  But we have so much more to be grateful for in our upbringing and our heritage.

Love you, cousins!  See you in a few months.