Family Reunion in Arizona

Over Labor Day Weekend I was able to fly to Arizona to visit with some of my cousins and family there. First I went to visit with my Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Bob. Things have always been a little strained between Aunt Evelyn and the rest of the family, but my mom always tried to keep communication open with her, so I felt like I really needed to try and visit with her. I was pleased that she was willing to let me come and see her. I was hoping to be able to see her kids that still live in Mesa, but they weren't able to be there. We had a really good visit, and it was fun to see them and catch up. The thing that shocked me the most was how much she looked like my Grandma, it made my cry to look at her and think about Grandma.



I don't know why I didn't take more pictures, I guess I was just too busy visiting and enjoying the visit. I spent a lot of time with Carolyn, Craig and Kristin and their families. It was such a good weekend for me. Uncle Paul and Aunt Dema were there on Saturday night, and we had a ball listening to their stories. I only wish more of the family had been able to be there.

On Sunday, we drove by my Grandma and Grandpa's house in Mesa. I loved that house as a kid and have so many memories there. The house had a central vac, and we loved talking to each other through the tubes. The only room in the house with cooling was the family room with it's swamp cooler, so that's where the adults congregated. We kids loved Grandpa's enclosed patio in back. We would shut the doors and have our own world back there. It's a good thing we were good kids, the adults never even checked on us, we could have been up to all sorts of mischief and they never would have known. We'd play truth or dare or charades, we loved playing in Grandpa's huge shed in the enormous backyard. We'd climb the giant tree and play hide and go seek, we'd even climb the fence into the alley which was strictly forbidden. In my child's mind, everything was so much bigger than it is now. We'd go in and take the empty coke bottles from the grown ups and take them to the Circle K on the corner to trade them in for penny candy, but we were never allowed any coke of our own. It was a little sad to go see the house, I almost wish I hadn't. The neighborhood has really deteriorated, the tree in the backyard is gone, as well as the shed. The yard is much, much smaller than I remember, and the Circle K is gone, not to mention the fact that it wouldn't be safe to let kids walk down the street alone anymore. Maybe I should have just left my memories alone. At least there's still a pick up truck in the carport, we loved to play in the back of Grandpa's truck too. I guess it's true when they say you can never go back.



Next year, we're having the reunion at my house, hopefully I won't be the only one here! :)