Family Reunion, 2009

“Living this life has its problems,

So I think that I’ll give it a break.

Oh, I’m going back to the family…

`cos I’ve had about all I can take.”

--Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull from “Back To The Family” from the album Stand Up, 1971.

We had a nice weekend in Sandwich, Illinois at Cousin Jason’s house. This was my Mom’s side of the family from Illinois’ Reunion. Jason and his wife Stephanie hosted the event.

I caught up with my twin Cousins Jason and Eric. I also chatted with their Mom, my Aunt Kathy and her husband Jeff, and two of their other children Ally and Nick. I met Jason’s and Eric’s sons and daughters. Uncle Dan (from Normal) and Aunt Dar were there, as they brought up Aunt Judy from Florida. It is always nice to see Dan and Dar and their sons, my cousin Danny (who I share a bond of teaching , music, and beer with) and Jeff, who brought his girlfriend, Dove.

Karen and Bud were there with Angela and Fred and of course, little Kaleb stole the show on cuteness alone.

Jen and I had fun as she mingled and met people she had not known before. Everyone was very welcoming towards her, which I greatly respect and appreciate.

Jason perfectly cooked a filet tenderloin on the grll and beer can chicken. We played bago--horseshoe type of game with Chicago Bears design and bean bags. All chatted and talked, and carried on.

Nice to see family. Jason told me that the last time we were all together was at Grandma’s funeral and we did not need more of those. Then he joked on my condition after the stroke.

It was also nice to see everyone was doing financially well and maintaining a sense of balance in family and business life. Grandma and Grandpa would have been proud.

The older I get, the more time slips past. I remember when the twins were little kids. I remember my first Communion and Aunt Judy giving me a transistor radio and the first song I heard was Heart of Gold by Neil Young on it, playing WLS. I remember the stuffed Winnie The Pooh that Aunt Judy gave me for my third birthday, as she told me it was the only thing I ever told her that I really wanted. I remember hanging out with my Aunt Kathy in the 1960s as she was funny and loved us kids. Of course I see Uncle Dan, aunt Dar, and Danny quite often, and I am glad they have always been supportive and welcomed me into their lives. And I still contend, Dan is a hero who saved my life.

When I see these good folks, I think back to the 1960s and 1970s. The memories flood back, and usually only the good memories return. I have no ill will towards any of these good people and we all share a common bond of fellowship, respect, decency, and lineage. In this day and age of the breakdown of families, it is nice to see people who still wish to get together once in a while and share their past and build on their future.

I know I will everyone again at my wedding in October of 2010. I also hope I see more of my family before then. We are all good people who ultimately care about one another.