A Family Affair

I was very privileged to attend a family reunion in Texas for my Dad's side of the family last weekend - The Soper Family Reunion!  I think the reunions started back in 1986, a year or so after I was married and before I had kids.  (I could have my dates wrong.  Life gets blurry after a while.)  The first one was at a community center in Castro Valley, CA.  We've had them every two years except one time I was told, it was stretched to 3 years.

Every other year for a reunion seems plenty often, except that not everybody can go every 2 years. The venue rotates between California, Dallas, and Spokane Washington.  I've only been to the ones held in California before this one.  I missed "California 92" when we were in Africa.  Including this year I think I've gone to 5.

Over a period of 27 years, there have been many changes. Loved ones have departed, children have grown up, babies have been born.

Something I discovered this year in Dallas is now Rosemary goes by Rose or Rosie; Marcus doesn't mind being called Marc; Suzie is now Suzanne (or it is Susan?); and Mary Grace will answer to Mary. Wow! It's hard to keep up!

Cousin Rosemary

Gordon, cousin Charlene and cousin Marc

Suzanne

Cousin Mary Grace

I met relatives I had never met.

My cousin, Mary Grace's daughter, Marla's family

Mary Grace's son, David's, daughters, Carly and Jenneh
(My sister, Jan in between.)

I met the non relatives who were there.

Some guys that live at Sheldon and Suzies

I enjoyed talking to my cousins...

My cousin Evan and his wife Dorathy

...and uncle.

Me and Uncle Len

My grandparents, Kirk and Virginia Soper  had 5 children - Ray, Reva, Edith, Rosemay, Kirk Jr. and Leonard.  My dad, Kirk and his brother, Len are the 2 remaining children .

If I counted correctly, there are 14 cousins, ages 43 to 78, and 10 of us were there!  I enjoyed catching up with them. I'm not sure about all the cousin's children...and their children.  It gets too complicated!

At some point during the reunion, the patriarchs of the family reminisced about the "old days." They told us things about the past and laughed...or maybe even cried a little when talking about those that have gone before us. We listen to stories we've heard many times before . . . or maybe for the first time.

 Kirk and Len

Of course no reunion is complete without food.  We had lots!  Friday night, we ate barbecued ribs and tri-tip with all the side dishes at Suzanne and Sheldon's.  Though they are recent California transplants, they did well to live up to the Texas reputation of doing things bigger.  Saturday, Mary Grace prepared beef brisket, chicken and ham and all the fixins. Thanks so much to our host and hostesses!  It was such a pleasure to be with you!

Suzie and Sheldon

Me and my cousin Mary Grace

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I am feeling well, except I do get tired.  I heard this may be a side effect of the Arimidex I am taking or a side effect of just living!

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