XV Reunion Pt.2

So I’m usually the guy taking all the photos, trying to capture the moment, who ends up “outside” the moment in doing so. I didn’t take any of the photos I will be posting today. I was in the moment and basking in every moment of it. This is a shift for me. Being present and not in the past or possible future. I am enjoying this and am grateful for those that continue to capture the moments in images.

My late brothers wife and my nieces and nephew would be traveling from afar to my brothers house. Michael had the forethought to ask them to come a couple of hours early so I might have some private time with them before the clan descended upon us. We had all been in contact via text and social media.

My niece, Grace, texted me that they were almost there so I went out front to greet them. Mike has a long driveway and as I walked toward them my sister n law, Jennifer, kind of stopped in her tracks and as I approached exclaimed “its like my husband was walking up to me”. We embraced, I felt her melt into me and I into her. For me, it was our moment of acknowledgement of this grand full circle we were part of. My brother Pete would be with us at the reunion. And then there was Grace, Alyssa and Peter…my nieces and nephew…love you guys!

Sidebar: I am not a substitute for loved ones lost. I have never felt this way. It is very endearing when my physical appearance, character and mannerisms are observed as familiar. I feel I am a representation and remembrance of family, my family, that have passed on. I believe this would be common in any family dynamic. I see, feel and know my father and brother in all of them just as they do so in me.

Teresa, my little sister, and Jason arrived. I make that point because she did. Michael, Teresa and myself were posing for a photo when she leaned over and observed “now your the oldest”. LOL! I had already made that point to Michael awhile back. I was the oldest so he had to do what I said. Big brother prerogative and all. Teresa is an incredible woman. She runs her own very successful business and empowers other women to do the same. I am very proud of her. You may recall, Teresa took awhile to adjust to our new reality. We spoke of this the day before. It was as I had suspected. It was never “me” personally she struggled with. It was the idea of me and how it had altered the image of her father…our father that she held so dear. I think we have all been reminded that everyone has, what appears in the moment, lapses in judgement and sometimes what we might first consider a “mistake”, turns out to be a blessing. I had thought myself a mistake for decades. I was mistaken. Life has offered me a new truth to replace that mistaken assumption.

I was getting to know my father and brother even better thru her shared memories. Even Jason had observations to share. Speaking of sharing, he brought a dish of macaroni and cheese. I hesitate to call it that. It was some concoction that was out of this world delicious! When someone commented on how good it was, jokester Michael, claimed he had made it. This became a running gag thru the day to the point where I eventually had to correct someone who actually thought he had made it. Jason is a great sport and I really enjoyed his company.

And then the rest of the clan began flooding in. Ricky, Sarah’s boyfriend. Jess and her husband Scott. Kent, Teresa’s son (my nephew..I never get tired of saying my “niece & “nephew”) and his wife Ashley with my two grand nieces, Madilyn & Kaley. (actually, Ashley is caring the precious cargo of our 3rd grand niece as well) It was such a treat to get to watch those two splash around the pool all afternoon.

A big shout out to my future nephew, Mason ( I already think of him as family. The impending wedding to my niece Ashley is just a formality.) He is the best! He manned the grill, did whatever needed to be done and did it with true enthusiasm and joy. I believe he, like myself, truly appreciates this family and is honored to be part of it. Rock on, Mason…Rock on!

It was time for the meal. We all stood around the table, hand in hand as my brother began to say the blessing, which if you are familiar with Catholicism, is a very rapid and short prayer. Micheal stopped just moments into it and said a few words about our gathering. I cant tell you what he said, but tears were streaming down my face while Michelle gently squeezed one hand and Teresa the other. It was about family and them all welcoming me into the family, and dad, and Pete and our gratitude for it all. My brother and my family had welcomed me home. No level of daydreaming or imagining had come close to the reality I was experiencing in those moments. And then we sat, and we ate, and we laughed, and laughed and laughed some more.

I’m going to let you in on a running family joke that started a few months ago and ran into this gathering. I got a text one evening from my brother asking if I would send a photo of my feet as evidently my brother and father had “unique” feet. The comment made was something to the effect of “they were more like talons rather than feet and could pick up children and small pets.” I did so, hesitantly, as I have always been a bit self conscious of my feet. Someone had made a critical remark about them years ago and it stuck with me. ( I’ll spare you the visual lol) His response, as was that of the entire family, “There was no need to have done the DNA test. You could have just sent us a photo of your feet. They are just like your dad’s and brothers’s”. LOL! Needless to say, I am no longer self conscious of my feet (talons) and display them proudly as a badge of honor! Its no different than the fact that I have my fathers eyes or smile. Later that day Jennifer walked up to me at the pool and said “You even have your brother’s funky feet. I miss those funky feet”.

The rest of the day was filled with fun, family and making memories. Golden memories. A few photos to round out the day and give you a taste of the joy experienced by all. I am blessed to have been a part of it. Thank you, family.

The gathering of family with the exception of Michelle, who took the photo. In the pool; Me, Michael, Landon, Mason, Peter, Madilyn, Ashley, Kayley, Grace. On the wall; Jennifer, Alyssa, Ashley, Teresa, Jason, Ricky, Sarah, Jess, Scott & Kent.

My dear Michelle. She worked tirelessly to make this the perfect day and it was. Everyone commented on what a wonderful family get together we were having. No stress, no drama. It all just flowed from the heart.

Nieces

And then this guy. My brother. He means the world to me! We anticipate doing these kind of things often …oh lets say for the next 40 years or so.