Gastonia reunion

Having left explicit instructions for it to do so, I wasn’t at all surprised when my clock radio alerted me to the fact that it was Sunday morning (September 3rd). Making my way either limpingly or haltingly to the kitchen, I proceeded to take my vitamins and break the fast. My scripture reading of the day was in the Old Testament and it reminded me so much of the moral fiber – or the lack thereof – in many of the politicians of today. Won’t go into it but you probably get my drift.

This was the day of attending a family reunion in Gastonia, NC – the family of my aunt – my Mom’s sister. I was taking a couple of food items for the event – a large Tupperware container full of Texas brownies and a squash casserole. This cake-like dessert is made with marshmallows melted on top with chocolate icing over that. The Spice made the brownies the night before and I had cut them in squares and put them in the Tupperware.

The Spice had mixed the casserole the night before and I put it on to cook when I got up that morning. I had shaved the scruff off my face, got ready and was just putting the casserole in a carry container when the bro showed up. SIL and the Spice didn’t feel up to the quick trip, so the bro and I went alone and with each other in his P/U truck.

This is the same bro that I’ve shared many hours with in construction/repair projects. Many of these had to do with maintaining Mom and Dad’s house in Mississippi while they were still with us and also the house of the older sis – she was the one that looked after our parents until they passed. We, with younger bro and other kin had even added a room and half bath onto OS’s house.

The three hour trip to NC was made without incident and we arrived at the church fellowship hall for the reunion a bit early, even had to dawdle a bit along the way to keep from being too early. The bro picked up some fried chicken nearby – so he would not come empty-handed. Some kin were already there and more came in all along. All the ones of my generational level were our first cousins and they were well known, but their young ones were very confusing as to which were offsprung from which cousin and which were their companions and offspring – several generations in some cases.

We then were called to order, the food was graced and we set about consuming, laughing and catching up on the events of the times we were not with each other. It was particularly good to see one cousin who had a stroke a few months back. It had been touch and go for him but he had regained most of his functions through rehab – he was even getting around with a walker, though with difficulty and very slowly. He and his wife had moved in with a daughter and she seemed to be taking very good care of them.

As always it is sad to leave kinfolks that you know you will not see for another year, but we finally said our good-byes and departed for home. The return trip was made without incident as well and a tired yours truly arrived home to relate the incidents of the day to his beloved Spice. God’s protection was in evidence on the trip and gratitude was/is expressed for it. ec