Every year my Dad's family has a picnic on Labor Day. This has been happening all my life, and we've met at the same park for all of those years.
My Dad was one of 10 kids; one sister died as a child. There were 5 girls and 5 boys and my Dad was the 5th child. Each member of the family still lives within 30 minutes of each other and have remained very close. There are 7 siblings still living. There's lots of teasing and laughter when they get together!
Here's my Dad and step-mom getting things set up,
Here's part of the group, enjoying lunch.
After lunch, they decided to try and get some pictures. My Dad and his sister are probably the biggest teasers in the family. He is 85 and she is 83. Instead of sitting where she was told to for the picture, she sat on Dad's lap. :)
These are the 7 living siblings. I think they range in age from about 70-87.
The park is just beautiful. There are springs and a pretty little stream that runs through it.
After lunch there was lots of talking and catching up.
We had a special guest with us this year. This little boy is 6 years old and is from Haiti. He's in the states through 'Healing the Children'. He has some vision issues that they thought were related to cataracts, but now think there may be some other problems as well. He's full of energy and doesn't let much slow him down!
This is my aunt. who he's staying with. She and my Uncle have done this quite a few times and say it's very rewarding. This little boy will have testing and treatment here, and will most likely return to Haiti with much improved vision.
I hope you all had an enjoyable day too!
17 comments:
What a blessing to have such a close family like yours. And, they all look so happy.
Beautiful park..
AND!---The little boy from Haiti is a blessing in disguise...he's a sweetie, I'm sure. Hopefully he will be improved with full vision when he returns to his homeland...all thanks to your family's loving care.
What a wonderful post.....smiles.
Looks like it was another great year!
Mari can I be adopted into your family and come next year??? What a fun day!! And the surroundings are beautiful.
So very wonderful to have those reunions! I know y'all look forward to this picnic every year, Mari. Love the pics. And, that little boy is so adorable. I pray he receives what he needs to live as normal a life as possible.
Thanks for sharing the special day. :)
xoxo
Family is such a blessing and having everyone close like that makes the blessing even more special. It's so great to have those memories to carry with you through life. God bless your aunt and uncle for helping that young man with his vision problems. I hope and pray they are resolved for him and that he can go home to a better life. Such a beautiful post, Mari!!
What a special day, with lots of good food and catching up with family members that you dont get to see often. You are blessed to be part of such a big family.
What a great day. The park is beautiful and the story of the little boy is heartwarming.
A large family that multiplied and made America great.
Such a blessing for your Dad and his siblings to cherish time together. The young visitor from Haiti pulls on my heartstrings....may the Lord bless his eyesight. Such a wonderful thing for your Aunt to help with.
Hope you have a good day, Mari.
What a beautiful park and a wonderful family tradition. It's such a blessing to see the closeness in some families and surely a blessing of the Lord. I like what your aunt and family are doing for the underprivileged. Locally I support the SEVA group which travels abroad to bring vision to people in many underdeveloped areas of the world. What a wonderful gift, bringing sight to those who cannot see. That little boy from Haiti is blessed. xx
What a beautiful big family Mari!! ;) Looks like a lot of fun. We do lots of teasing in our family too and I love it! How cool that your Aunt helps kiddos out that way, that might not otherwise get help.
Blessings for the rest of your week Hon. xoxo
This is just so cute! Those elderlies are adorable and I love how they still are close, like each other and enjoy the company. My family isn't like that at all.....enjoy it!
I think it is wonderful that they live close to one another and that they have reunions like this. I didn't even see your dad under his sister till you pointed it out. How funny! She must be hilarious!
It is a beautiful park. I love all the greenery. Such a lovely place for a reunion.
Glad you had a great family time together and made great memories! xx
Oh Aunt Esther - she is a riot!
That little guy is so cute! I just cannot imagine coming to another country being that little with no one that you know. Such a cool thing to get the treatment he needs, but has to be scary at that age too!
Awww, that little guy is so cute. And what a beautiful venue for the party. Your dad's sibs remind me of my late mother-in-law's family. She too was one of ten, and only one of them died as a youngish adult. Several are gone now but they have such longevity, I tell TG he's got miles and miles to go before he sleeps. He likes the sound of that. xoxo
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