Musings and Elucidations

NickSilly’s blog.

Cousin Michael's very thoughtful family reunion 2014 recap/2015 invitation

I found this email from my cousin Michael to be quite delightful so I asked him if he would be gracious enough to allow me to post it to my blog. He said "post away" so here it is for all to enjoy. If you are not a member of my extended family much of this may not make too much sense but the "memories" part is something to which I believe we can all relate. I've added some "editor's notes" to help explain the following for those who were not actually there.

To: Family.

It is too far off to be clear about plans, but since Todd found a crazy-ridiculous way to avoid the "pull-up competition" (Editor's note: Todd's daughter had an unfortunate hammock accident but is fine), we'll have to have a do-over family reunion, so that I'll have my chance at glory (2015 pull-up champ).  Dance-off competition will be between Nicky and Tim (Editor's note: I enjoy doing the Cupid Shuffle and since my father is also Nick I'm referred to as Nicky. I used to hate that but now I kinda like it.)

I bought that PA system 3 years ago.  Part of my justification was that at a family gathering we'd get to include everyone and the amazing talent of Nick Sr.  We still have several songs on the play list to get through.  Carlton still has to perform (Editor's note: Carlton is the eldest member of the family and plays a mean piano. We just gotta find a jam he likes.)  My Dad is supposed to join in on the Ukulele.  TJ missed out.  I think Amy has a guitar and needs to join us.  There's much more music to be made and I want everyone to participate.  And we need to play yard jarts.

For us here, so far from home, it would be neat to have that same group here with us for Levi's High School graduation.  That weekend would include graduation and family fun.  Tentatively graduation is Friday May 29th, 2015.  Inviting you down here isn't about us, it's about all of us... and the bond we share.   

Memories:  We moved here when Samantha was born (seems like yesterday).  How many Easters did we spend in Louisville - I always remember spring flowers at mamaw and pappaw's house.  I remember walking to the miniature golf place with Nicky and Michelle, up on Dixie.  Nicky always humorous and so talented with everything (Editor's note: He must be talking about some other "Nicky" here. haha. Thank you, Mike!)  Dan - wow.  The way Kathleen would say, "Michael" - I can hear her voice perfectly.  Pappaw being in that recliner at 4am.  The musty smell of the basement (Editor's note: the Lowe basement was by far the scariest place on earth to a child.)  Sleeping in the upstairs bedroom in the summer with no A/C.  Yard-jarts.  Card games.  Home-cooking that I could not stand when I was 10, but would love now.  Leaning in to hear a great story from Carlton.  Michelle's smile. Christmas when there was no room in the living room on Donald drive.  Walking to Melton's for one thing or another.  There was that lady that was there sometimes, at mamaw's - one day I asked how long she and mamaw had been friends, and they both looked at me and smiled, and said, "we're sisters" (I'm a bozo too often).  How about syrup and butter mashed together to dip biscuits in.  Papaw did such a great job with birthday cards.  As Archie and Edith would say, "those were the days".  

Please be safe, take care, be healthy... I'm quite fond of the "fruit of the spirit" stuff:   love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.... I hope these things come your way all of these coming days (Galatians 5:22). 

Mike