They got into it, all the reminiscing and stories from back in the day flowed freely. How they can remember that much detail is beyond me! I'd been looking for an obituary of my grandfather (their dad) who died when I was about five years old. So Mom got her big old folder of clippings and don't you know - it was there all the time!
We used to have family reunions every so often. Mom was one of nine children so needless to say, we had a fair amount of relatives show up. But eventually that fell by the wayside (I think the last was in 2004). Back then, as kids we'd complain about having to go, we'd be bored, it was hot, and the ever-famous "I don't know all those people." The adults enjoyed getting together and the best part of the day was eating.
Now, we're adults and we miss getting together. But now, on Facebook we have a Doxey group page for Mom's side of the family and it's absolutely wonderful being able to keep in contact with all my cousins. From Florida to Texas and even Australia... we can still get together in a way. It's neat because someone will ask a question - some will know the answer, many will remember, and some will say they've never heard that before. So the stories are kept alive.
We keep talking about doing a road trip and seeing each other. I really hope we can one of these days! Maybe, just maybe... if Hubster gets that RV running! There's always hope, right?
I've said before how lucky I was, that when we were little whenever family met up at our Grandmother's house all the cousins got to play together a lot. My generation got to really know each other and even though we were only cousins it really felt like a big extended family of brothers and sisters. Unfortunately my children and my cousins' children don't have that same connection and those little second cousins don't know each other at all. What a shame! There is so much to be valued in belonging and knowing you are loved by so many.
I know my maternal grandparents, William and Gracie, must be very proud of the way their brood turned out. I know I'm proud of being part of this wonderful family!
