Family

Thanksgiving can happen anywhere between November 22 and 28, so all my life I’ve had a birthday pretty close to Turkey Day, if not right on it. This was great because I was always guaranteed a birthday cake and song in the middle of a larger-than-normal family gathering.

Out came mom & dad’s Good Silverware reserved for special occasions, and out came the Special China, and a lot of extra food - much more than for a normal night in the kitchen. This was a Dining Room Occasion, with special guests, which only happened a handful of times a year.

This pleasant memory from my childhood was re-enacted in most spectacular fashion last weekend, as my entire family got together for two days here in the Poconos. They traveled from New Mexico, Vermont, Connecticut and Long Island, which in addition to Pennsylvania have become the new family centers.

My 60^th birthday provided some impetus for this huge undertaking. More importantly, it tied in to Thanksgiving, and the fact that all of us had not been in the same place since January 2004.

As delighted as I was to see all these people, it was clear that they were delighted to see each other. Some of the youngest were meeting family members for the very first time. Old ties were re-established, with stories and laughs galore. It was a unique and wonderful time for all.

In the words of my big sis Jackie --

“What can we say? It was wonderful. Magical actually. When everyone was gone, I must say I was down. Maybe that's what it feels like preparing for a wedding, the big feast, and then poof. it's over. But because you all came, you made memories we will never forget. Seeing all the kids together for the first time, wow.....Just being in the same room together, a lot of love is what I'll remember, thank you so much, and thank you Lord for the gift of family“.