A Family Reunites
I don't suppose our family story is unlike a lot of families; after the last parent dies, the family loses touch - too busy with our own stuff, the ties that bound us together seems frayed... it isn't a new story. Although you don't think it will happen, it does.
So, the family gathering in Kenyon last Saturday was not so much a reunion as a reuniting and it was successful enough that people want to do it again - that's a good sign.
The gathering took place at the Kenyon Park where the old railroad station has been repurposed as a pavilion. Many of us had never been in it and it was fun to look at the signs and remember.
Since dad and mom had a main street business, we were taught to buy local and I remember being sent to Jorstad's many times for nails, screws, or some such thing.
This was gone by the time I was growing up but my older brothers remember where it was on the main drag.
Nothing like the French fries and malts at the Bluebird after a high school sporting event.
Not sure what dad bought here but I remember waiting in the pickup and looking at the sign.
All three of us "kids" attended the all school reunion and camped at mom's house - it was a fun time!
Mom worked every fall at the canning company. She was a "relief lady" which meant she went to all the different stations and gave the ladies breaks. Her shift started at 5 and she worked until midnight or later. I remember dad baking a cake or other goodies and bringing it down to the ladies around 9 for their "lunch break". Thinking back, that was a really cool thing to do and I wonder if any of the other ladies had such thoughtful husbands...
Dad was an avid baseball fan and this board was up when there were weekend competitions in town. I went to many ball games with dad; well, I went with him and then ran around or hung out or whatever until he was ready to go. I don't remember ever sitting through a whole game.
There is a story in the family about mom jumping off the train in Kenyon. You see, the train did not stop in our small town and mom was coming back from Duluth (where Jim lived at the time). So the conductor slowed down, mom threw her suitcase at dad and jumped off... I don't know if it really happened but I can see her doing it!
So, last Saturday, we reunited to remember and to connect and to honor these two wonderful people. I remember taking this picture for the newspaper when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1989. Jim had it made poster size and it graced the hall.
At our Gathering, there was a lot of conversations,
and hanging out together.
This is the kind of picture I sometimes find on my camera. I was taking a pic of brother Rich, in the background, and his son, Jeff, stepped into the frame. Behind every successful man is a caring father...
Jon brought the grill and made hamburgers and hot dogs.
Like all family gatherings, there was a teen who really just wanted to see what was happening with his friends on facebook.
We caught up with family members we hadn't seen for three years.
And I photographed dad and daughter, neither of whom I've really talked to for a long time.
I enjoyed seeing Pam's kids again.
Oh how I love Joe's smile!
Son Nolan is now taller than dad Jon and shorter cousins enjoyed seeing each other and swimming together.
And there was plenty of food when great grand niece, Aria, was hungry.
When we all sat down for lunch, it was a throwback to family Christmas at mom's house. Adults at one table
and kids at another.
With lots of animation and conversation.
Always an adult to keep the kids in line.
I don't think sister-in-law, Anita, was too happy with what was being said.
And there was the cake. This one was made by mom many many many years for Grandchildren's birthdays. She always, and I mean always, apologized for the way it looked. Now Jo's husband Marv makes it and it looks just the same way. AHHHH it tastes wonderful!
I love this kind of picture - looks like Winston is laughing at Jeff's eating when in reality, he isn't even aware of it.
After lunch, there was more conversation and relaxation. Little ones returned to the swimming pool conveniently located right next door to the park.
Then it was time for family pictures. This is Rich and Anita's crew - Cheri wasn't able to make the gathering.
Fun to watch Pam and Becky discover what Mike does with a cell phone camera - yep, a good 30 pictures of the same thing...
The Fischer Men
Us "kids" with spouses.
Jim's family was all there.
Even the spouses.
Before we parted ways, the nieces and nephews decided they wanted a picture with Auntie JanAss - that was a pet name when all were little... usually accompanied with a giggle. The pole was a throwback to my pole dancing days... but that is another story.
The family went their own way and Mike and I went to Lake Jefferson to spend some time with friends. We watched the big moon rise over the corn,
played some more beanbags,
ate tons of food and enjoyed each other's company.
It was a big gathering and someone was always moving - nothing slow about this group of seniors.
The games ended when it just got to dark and then we moved inside for more competitions.
By the time we retired at midnight at Doug and Lael's place, we were shot. We drove down that morning and had really not stopped all day. Fun but tiring. Sunday morning we were up early and ready for church. It was wonderful to see Pastor Shelly and worship with the people we still consider our "home church". This congregation is so supportive of our work in Mexico and we were completely surprised when one gal, Joanne Voss, showed up with a whole bag of quilts and even threw in some jump ropes.
Later we stopped at Diane and Tom's and Tom gave us two boxes of handmade wooden cars and trucks. Lael and Doug gave us a bike and a big bag of soaps and shampoos. Gloria had also given us some of these personal items for the gift bags in Mexico. WOW, our motorhome will be filled when we leave this fall - that's a good thing!
We didn't get home till late on Sunday and Monday the only thing I accomplished was to make 10 jars of canned tomatoes - picked from my own garden!
We watched that beautiful moon rise over the water again.
One day this week, we went fishing and I watched two loons have a conversation.
Not sure but think one was unhappy with the other one.
Today we went to garage sales. I got a brand new food dehydrator for $5 and Mike got his radio for the garage plus an underwater camera for $10 - that should be fun. And, of course, we bought more stuff to take south with us. Our neighbors, Liz and Steve, bought blocks and shape and sound ball for us to take to Mexico. I am amazed at how many people want to be involved; God works wonders!
Oh, when I got home I looked at the calendar and realized it is less than three weeks till "Cousin's Weekend" when the Fischer ladies gather to eat too much, laugh too much, drink a bit and play games constantly. Good thing I found the card playing table for $10 at a sale today. It is now set up and ready to go!
The summer is quickly disappearing. I'm glad our family reunited this summer. I'm happy to have such a rich and diverse life. And I am looking forward to our fall adventures - oh, and the Minnesota State Fair - hope we make it sometime in the next couple of weeks. Till later...
So, the family gathering in Kenyon last Saturday was not so much a reunion as a reuniting and it was successful enough that people want to do it again - that's a good sign.
The gathering took place at the Kenyon Park where the old railroad station has been repurposed as a pavilion. Many of us had never been in it and it was fun to look at the signs and remember.
Since dad and mom had a main street business, we were taught to buy local and I remember being sent to Jorstad's many times for nails, screws, or some such thing.
This was gone by the time I was growing up but my older brothers remember where it was on the main drag.
Nothing like the French fries and malts at the Bluebird after a high school sporting event.
Not sure what dad bought here but I remember waiting in the pickup and looking at the sign.
All three of us "kids" attended the all school reunion and camped at mom's house - it was a fun time!
Mom worked every fall at the canning company. She was a "relief lady" which meant she went to all the different stations and gave the ladies breaks. Her shift started at 5 and she worked until midnight or later. I remember dad baking a cake or other goodies and bringing it down to the ladies around 9 for their "lunch break". Thinking back, that was a really cool thing to do and I wonder if any of the other ladies had such thoughtful husbands...
Dad was an avid baseball fan and this board was up when there were weekend competitions in town. I went to many ball games with dad; well, I went with him and then ran around or hung out or whatever until he was ready to go. I don't remember ever sitting through a whole game.
There is a story in the family about mom jumping off the train in Kenyon. You see, the train did not stop in our small town and mom was coming back from Duluth (where Jim lived at the time). So the conductor slowed down, mom threw her suitcase at dad and jumped off... I don't know if it really happened but I can see her doing it!
So, last Saturday, we reunited to remember and to connect and to honor these two wonderful people. I remember taking this picture for the newspaper when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1989. Jim had it made poster size and it graced the hall.
At our Gathering, there was a lot of conversations,
and hanging out together.
This is the kind of picture I sometimes find on my camera. I was taking a pic of brother Rich, in the background, and his son, Jeff, stepped into the frame. Behind every successful man is a caring father...
Jon brought the grill and made hamburgers and hot dogs.
Like all family gatherings, there was a teen who really just wanted to see what was happening with his friends on facebook.
We caught up with family members we hadn't seen for three years.
And I photographed dad and daughter, neither of whom I've really talked to for a long time.
I enjoyed seeing Pam's kids again.
Oh how I love Joe's smile!
Son Nolan is now taller than dad Jon and shorter cousins enjoyed seeing each other and swimming together.
And there was plenty of food when great grand niece, Aria, was hungry.
When we all sat down for lunch, it was a throwback to family Christmas at mom's house. Adults at one table
and kids at another.
With lots of animation and conversation.
Always an adult to keep the kids in line.
I don't think sister-in-law, Anita, was too happy with what was being said.
And there was the cake. This one was made by mom many many many years for Grandchildren's birthdays. She always, and I mean always, apologized for the way it looked. Now Jo's husband Marv makes it and it looks just the same way. AHHHH it tastes wonderful!
I love this kind of picture - looks like Winston is laughing at Jeff's eating when in reality, he isn't even aware of it.
After lunch, there was more conversation and relaxation. Little ones returned to the swimming pool conveniently located right next door to the park.
Then it was time for family pictures. This is Rich and Anita's crew - Cheri wasn't able to make the gathering.
Fun to watch Pam and Becky discover what Mike does with a cell phone camera - yep, a good 30 pictures of the same thing...
The Fischer Men
Us "kids" with spouses.
Jim's family was all there.
Even the spouses.
Before we parted ways, the nieces and nephews decided they wanted a picture with Auntie JanAss - that was a pet name when all were little... usually accompanied with a giggle. The pole was a throwback to my pole dancing days... but that is another story.
The family went their own way and Mike and I went to Lake Jefferson to spend some time with friends. We watched the big moon rise over the corn,
played some more beanbags,
ate tons of food and enjoyed each other's company.
It was a big gathering and someone was always moving - nothing slow about this group of seniors.
The games ended when it just got to dark and then we moved inside for more competitions.
By the time we retired at midnight at Doug and Lael's place, we were shot. We drove down that morning and had really not stopped all day. Fun but tiring. Sunday morning we were up early and ready for church. It was wonderful to see Pastor Shelly and worship with the people we still consider our "home church". This congregation is so supportive of our work in Mexico and we were completely surprised when one gal, Joanne Voss, showed up with a whole bag of quilts and even threw in some jump ropes.
Later we stopped at Diane and Tom's and Tom gave us two boxes of handmade wooden cars and trucks. Lael and Doug gave us a bike and a big bag of soaps and shampoos. Gloria had also given us some of these personal items for the gift bags in Mexico. WOW, our motorhome will be filled when we leave this fall - that's a good thing!
We didn't get home till late on Sunday and Monday the only thing I accomplished was to make 10 jars of canned tomatoes - picked from my own garden!
We watched that beautiful moon rise over the water again.
One day this week, we went fishing and I watched two loons have a conversation.
Not sure but think one was unhappy with the other one.
Today we went to garage sales. I got a brand new food dehydrator for $5 and Mike got his radio for the garage plus an underwater camera for $10 - that should be fun. And, of course, we bought more stuff to take south with us. Our neighbors, Liz and Steve, bought blocks and shape and sound ball for us to take to Mexico. I am amazed at how many people want to be involved; God works wonders!
Oh, when I got home I looked at the calendar and realized it is less than three weeks till "Cousin's Weekend" when the Fischer ladies gather to eat too much, laugh too much, drink a bit and play games constantly. Good thing I found the card playing table for $10 at a sale today. It is now set up and ready to go!
The summer is quickly disappearing. I'm glad our family reunited this summer. I'm happy to have such a rich and diverse life. And I am looking forward to our fall adventures - oh, and the Minnesota State Fair - hope we make it sometime in the next couple of weeks. Till later...
posted by jf and me | 10:18 PM
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