September 14, 2007

  • FAMILY REUNION

    My wife's brother, Joe, has been battling cancer for some time now, and is unable to travel far. Because he lives in Des Moines, Iowa and the rest of her family lives in Illinois near us, all the siblings have booked rooms in a bed & breakfast near Des Moines for the weekend later in September.  Hopefully, we can enjoy a restful family reunion together and talk about the things brothers and sisters talk about when together.

    Joe, for instance, had a fascination with the toilet when he was a toddler and seemed to get a thrill out of watching household items being flushed, swirl around and disappear (or maybe just swirl around depending on what got flushed).  Joe didn't care what items he used to appease his amusement appetite.  Anything he could pick up, carry and would fit seemed to do the job: tools, clothing, jewelry, etc.

    As you might imagine, this caused considerable angst then, but now it's one of those stories that is treasured by everyone and obviously grows larger and more humorous each time it's repeated.

    I have been scanning family pictures lately and we've decided to print some old memories to pass around and enjoy together during our special weekend.

    Here are a few of the many we will share:



          Joe, Bill, Pat, Carol-Des Moines ~1962


         Bill, Pat, Maureen, Joe - Aurora ~1977


      Carol Lawler Hooper,  1942 - 1968

Comments (4)

  • Family pictures are invaluable items and are irreplaceable when they are old. You are doing the right thing by scanning them. Electronic documents are likely to stay intact longer than documents on paper provided some basic precautions are taken. Paper documents tend to turm yellow with time, and they can wrinkle, get torn, and get lost or destroyed all together! Save your scanned pictures on CD's and make copies of the CD's.

    Best wishes for a happy family re-union.

    Shoban Sen

  • Do you know I am moved to see the evolution of those siblings from the tender age until now , excepted this wonderful Carol who died prematurely .( 1968 )
    I wonder who is your wife , Pat or Maureen .
    Yes this familial gathering will enjoy your brother in law , Joe and all the family . watching those pictures will create a special ambiance .
    Thanks to share with us . I encourage you to continue . So we know each other better .

    In friendship
    Michel

  • Maureen has been my Irish bride for 48 years.

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