Family Reunion

The scene was my sister Laurie's back yard, near Winlock, Washington, which is about an hour and 45 minutes south down the freeway from Seattle, and out in the country.

There was lots of hugging and introducing and talking and eating. Sister Ilene and Mike brought about 100 pieces of chicken. Everyone else brought salads and desserts. We had plenty of everything, except shade, which was at a premium and much sought after.

Everyone mixed and mingled, and then sorted themselves out by generations.

Relatives came from Michigan to meet the family.

We settled into one on one conversations, cousins with cousins.

We took some formal photos of the cousins of my generation from my Dad's side of the family who had been specifically invited to "crash" what is usually my mother's family gathering.

My Cousins...

And my siblings.

And my mother.

And the play continued.

How about a helping hand?

Did I mention we were out in the country? It was a great day of sharing the ties that bind us together even as we lead our separate lives.