JUST NOT ENOUGH!

There just isn’t enough summer.
There just isn’t enough time with family.
I’ve been looking so forward to the McCay Reunion planned by the “PA McCays.”
And it was yesterday! It is over! We were together about 6 hours, it was getting dark, time to go home and once again I was sitting there wondering “where did the time go?”
As someone who grew up among a lot of family just upstairs, just across the street, I sorely miss the close time of companionship with several generations, all the stories one heard, all the advice – wanted or not – all the support and love that you feel growing up that way. And yes, the criticism, the censoring, that which at one time felt like negative attention, but which you come to know as sincere forms of trying to help.
Now that I am older, I find myself listening, when our family gets together, to what is happening in the clusters of conversation. The comparing family traits – I won’t go into some of them! – telling of old stories over and over again – talking over childbearing, child raising, child care, getting ready for retirement, recipes, travel, health concerns, building, gardening, crafting, all the things that make up life, and conversing about them with people who actually care, people who truly want the best for you – who will hurt if it doesn’t turn out well – who will rejoice when it does.
Of course, family, as I have often said, is a point of view, a frame of mind….there are certainly friends who fill the bill….blood relations aren’t required, but as Leenie and I were saying last night…there is something rather beautiful in the tapestry of our children, all family, blending and weaving and fitting together in the dance that is family…we feel our hearts swell with pride and gratitude when we can watch them together….the boys – their wives, their children…..almost a oneness that we will leave to grow beyond us.

Mommy Amy with Maddie and Sammie McCay.

The Patriarchs - Dan and Larry - great time for conversation.

Host, Tim with daughter Mollie.


Mom Mom with Maddie.

Tim, Colleen and Larry 4th.

Larry 3rd, Jeff.

Loving Uncle Larry (3rd) with Maddie.

Group photos - one with - one without the beautiful bird house gourds made by Dan and Leenie. Each family got to pick the one of their choice. Uncle Dan also made one for Mike's family who were unable to join us.

Hostess, Amy had the kids prepare signs to show Mike, Tina and Jessica that they were thought of and missed.

Post-Reunion Dance Party! While the grown-ups were ready to call it quits, the kids had just got started!

Stars of the day....The lovely gourds Dan and Leenie made....any bird would be proud to call this home!

Perfect day and a great memory of the summer of 2010.