The Scattering!

[Ivan the Butcher]

It is Black Friday and the next two generations gathered at our house for breakfast as a family. At 2:00 they started heading their separate ways! One went to their hotel for a swim before a nap and a late-night Exodus to the East Coast. The rest gathered a #2 son's home to watch the NFL and have Dinner. The daughter takes her tribe East at 0200 to be at her Quarterback's All Star Football game. #1 son leaves some time Sunday to go back to Philly.

The image I will never forget is of two almost 4-year-old cousins meeting for the first time. They knew each other existed but to see each other and embrace each other, and know she's there for you, all your life long. The realization showed on their faces as they at once became inseparable!

My 92-year-old mother and 89-year-old Father-in-Law got showered with love by descendants they had never seen before. I doubt this gathering can ever be duplicated as we scatter like fluff from a dandelion!

The thing that keeps crossing my mind is: It is amazing how good God has been to me!

Thanks for listening to my mental wanderings.

Ivan

 

[Rustyt1953]

Of the 13 people at our gathering last night 5 live under roof and the rest all live under 8 minutes away. Even with the wheelbarrows full of leftovers they carted off there are still plenty left here.

In about an hour the horde will invade us again.

As Chic said: "good times".

 

[Rudi]

You are a lucky man.

 

[llowry61]

I am glad for you Ivan, our clan continues to dwindle. There were 8 of us at this years gathering. I am the youngest of my siblings at 62. Starting to feel like the last of the Mohicans !

 

[StrawHat]

I, too, am the youngest of my siblings and of my generation. No kids that acknowledge me so when I go, the branch dies. I try not to think of it but when I do, I realize this is their choice. How it affects me is my choice! I cried decades ago, now, I get on with my life.

Life sucks? Get over it!

Ivan, I am truly happy for you. I, too, am blessed. Just in other ways.

Kevin

 

[JohnRippert]

Pretty much down to me and Mom these days for holidays. We did have my best friend and his son come over yesterday to join us for lunch.

 

[Igiveup]

I, too, feel blessed. We have 30 grand and great grand children. We were set up to have 22 family here for Thanksgiving, then it happened. Grandpa, me, came down with covid. Three showed up, and I sort of isolated. I feel bad, but can't blame myself for something I had no control.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

With the daughter deployed so much, and my son an "on the road" welder, this is the first Thanksgiving in ten years we've had them both home.
Words cannot describe how happy my Thanksgiving was!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

With the daughter deployed so much, and my son an "on the road" welder, this is the first Thanksgiving in ten years we've had them both home.
Words cannot describe how happy my Thanksgiving was!

The worst Father's Day I ever had was early this century when my two youngest were in college and my two oldest were overseas. Oldest in Germany 1st Armor) waiting to invade Iraq, and Second was in 3rd Marine Division (Okinawa) waiting for North Korea to actively support Saddam. Out of nowhere about 10 minutes apart they all phoned home! I went from the pit, straight to the mountain top!

Ivan