FAMILY REUNIONS

How many have you attended over the years? None that I can recall until this past week and it was a double whammy. Dad’s brother was celebrating his 90th birthday and the entire gang was coming from Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Iowa, Michigan, and California to the “Show-Me State.” There would be a family dinner at Steak and Ale on Friday night and a come and go birthday party for friends and family on Saturday afternoon. At the same time there was to be a cousin reunion in the same area on my mother’s side. Mom and Dad said although it would be nice if I would go, it was not necessary; however, it had been a long time since I had seen many of my relatives, probably 40 years to be exact, and their spouses, kids, and grandkids whom I had never met. It would be helpful to my parents and it would be a chance to do something different, so Debbie decided to go and would play chauffeur. Hey, who could turn down an opportunity to take an all-expense-paid vacation?

Mom found a great deal with Southwest Airlines--three round trip, nonstop tickets to Kansas City. Had to rent a car and drive three hours to Springfield, but who could beat the price of $507, not per ticket, but total cost.

It had been at least ten years since I had flown into the wild blue yonder. Never experienced the restrictive airline check-in tedium immediately following 9/11; however, it still was a pain in the butt and decided I’d rather drive anytime, anywhere. Actually packing your liquids in no more than three-ounce containers and putting them into a quart plastic, zip lock bag; removing jackets and shoes; and allowing only one carryon and one smaller personal item.

Woke up at 2:00 am, picked up at 4:15 am, and arrived at LAX long before take off at 6:40 am. To be honest, everything went quite smoothly. Dad was assisted through the security checkpoint in a wheelchair all the way to preboarding. The wait lasted forever and, of course, Dad decided to go to the bathroom right before they started to preboard, and I sat with the luggage. The other lady in the wheelchair boarded as well as an elderly couple and a few parents with their young children. The assistant pilot came out and inquired about Dad. He was still in the bathroom, but I could go ahead and board with the luggage. As I went down the ramp, here came my parents and the assistant pilot took Dad to the plane. Seemed like a long time in the air but finally arrived in Kansas City a few minutes early. Took the shuttle to Hertz and drove out the gate in a KIA Spectra (might be the next car I’ll purchase) down to Springfield. Apparently took the longer route by approximately 40 minutes; however, found the motel, checked in, grabbed some hamburgers at the next door McDonald’s, and crashed. It was a long day and we all were beat. I don’t know…the nerves and anxiety were pumping and somewhat wished I had stayed home and gone to work.






On Friday drove Mom and Dad to Ozark and visited a few of their old stomping grounds.

The first two pictures are where Dad grew up on the farm. No longer the same and now quite exquisite—called Equestrian Estates and beautifully landscaped and filled with one million dollar mansions.

The third picture is where Mom and Dad went to school--Mom from third grade through high school and Dad from sixth grade through high school.

The fourth pic is Garrison Springs where Mom ditched school for her first and only time. It was a shock to all as she was considered the goody, goody girl, at least in comparison to her twin sister, Mary.





We went to the cemetery (it was not Forest Lawn) to pay our respects and for me the first time to visit where both sets of grandparents were laid to rest as well as my mother’s brother, Jim, and several other relatives.

That evening 34 of the Gaither clan met at Steak and Ale to celebrate Uncle Gilbert’s 90th birthday. Strange seeing relatives I’ve never met, some I hadn’t seen since age nine, and the majority not since high school. Unfortunately my uncle is not doing well, heavily medicated and often doesn’t remember who people are--didn’t recognize his big sister when she entered the restaurant.

Saturday was the big day—Mom’s cousin reunion and the come and go birthday party for Uncle G. We met Mom’s side of the family at a small café in Ozark next door to a beautiful gift shop that is owned and operated by two of Mom’s cousins. One of their spouses made some of the jewelry out of old silverware patterns and insisted Mom and I pick out something to take home. Mom chose a necklace with a turquoise stone embedded, pattern dated 1948—the year my parents got married; and I picked a small, simple pattern pair of pierced earrings, but they insisted I select the rare Cupid pattern dated 1880 instead. Beautiful handiwork and a generous offer indeed. Didn’t remember ever meeting anyone before and the majority I had never met. The lunch buffet was nice. Pictures were taken and a PowerPoint presentation was shown of old and recent photos of all the family members. Didn’t realize how many had lived in New Mexico. Very interesting even though at the end I still was confused who was who. It was impossible to be in two places at once and missed part of my uncle’s party but caught the end and stayed several hours past to visit with family and then said our goodbyes. A very hectic day but it didn’t matter how long it had been—we were and always will be family who love each other.

On Sunday went to church and heard my third cousin preach, but he was not the regular preacher. Took Dad to visit his best friend since the sixth grade. Gene was tall and stood erect—no cane, no limp—with all his faculties intact and a great sense of humor. On Monday drove back up to Kansas City, turned in the rental car, and stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. On Tuesday morning arrived at the airport to discover our nonstop flight had been cancelled and would have to change planes in Phoenix (should have known—everything on this trip had gone too smoothly). Had to play my patience card and alter our pickup arrangements; however, the flight attendant was a jokester, an impressionist and quite entertaining…possibly worth the change in routes. We made it to Phoenix. Caught the next plane and arrived at LAX only 1-1/2 hours later than originally planned

Although wish Dad was more mobile, it does make the flying experience much easier when traveling with someone considered “disabled”—always given priority over other passengers; however, Mom had to keep tipping the hired help. Still, from now on I’ll avoid flying if at all possible. And apparently, we got out of there just in time before the tornadoes came roaring in.