Four generations.
That’s how many were gathered at my sister, Ruth’s, house back in May.
I didn’t take one moment of that day together for granted, since distance so often separates me from the people I love.
The Generational Roll Call?
One Grandma. Five of her children. Three of her children-in-law. Three of her grandchildren. One of her great-grandchildren.
Mom loves being surrounded by her family and especially loves getting to take sun-scented clothes off the line with her grandson, Levi.
Levi is a veteran of getting clothes both off and on the line and is also strong enough to haul the basket of heavy wet clothes from the house to the line, an attribute highly prized by both his mom and his grandma.
Levi is also used to accompanying his mom (and his grandma, when she visits) to a variety of greenhouses, helping to search for that perfect plant. I was along on this particular plant sojourn, but since the picking of perfect potted plants perplexes me, I happily took pictures of other people picking perfect plants. (If we had run across Peter picking a peck of pickled peppers, our day would have been complete!)
Mom was royally escorted into this particular plant establishment by my middle brother, Mark, and his wife, Nancy.
When we returned home with the (perfectly picked) plants, it was back to a day of country living at its best. This included (for Levi, at least), the Quintessential Boyhood Activity of climbing a tree to heights which make moms (and aunties) faint from fright.
He also embarked on the boyhood task of leaping from the swing. Oh for that energy, and that limberness, and that ability to fly and land and not break numerous ancient bones and sprain numerous creaking tendons.
My great-nephw, Ephraim, learned how to blow bubbles, one of the great childhood joys of summertime.
As the afternoon wore on, the generations embarked upon a walk down an early spring-festooned, rural road. As we set out, I couldn’t help but notice the poignant visual bookending of the generations–a stroller and a wheelchair.
Levi took his turn propelling his grandma through the sunshine. (Mom walks fine on surfaces that are level, but prefers a little assistance for hilly, rough roads.)
The dogs were grateful for a chance to stretch their legs and sniff new and always fascinating doggie scents.As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice one of Ruth’s clothing designs; she sewed a top and skirt together and added a pocket from some overalls, festooned with a couple of buttons. Ruth is creative in so many different ways.
After about fifteen minutes in the wheelchair, Mom decided she wanted to try walking a bit. As we strolled away, we all chortled about what a passing driver might think about seeing an empty wheelchair at the side of the road.
Even Ephraim turned around to look.
We eventually recovered the abandoned wheelchair, although Mom was not yet ready to sit down in it. She is a walking machine!
Debbie was, as always, cheering her on. She is everybody’s greatest cheerleader.
Our walk took us by a small cemetery, which is one of my favorite places to meander through. There are few things that put life into perspective any more quickly than a scattering of tombstones loudly proclaiming that whatever you are worrying about or working toward right this minute–it will soon be over with.
While the rest of the family spent a few moments pondering the symbols of life’s brevity, Levi perched beneath a tree that has seen the comings and goings of many generations before him.
As we got ready to return to the house I couldn’t help but think, “A boy and his dog on a country road. No sweeter sight.”
When we got back to the house, Ephraim hung out a little with his Grandpa Rehberg (AKA Ruth’s husband, Arnold.)
Mom did a little more walking, hither and yon. When you’re in a lovely place in the throes of spring, sitting inside is a great waste of great beauty.
We puttered around inside for a while, gathering up some good eats and then . . .
it was time to sit down around the fire and just enjoy the generations.
I saw Levi seated over near the flame and thought of this family reunion from his perspective. His day had been peopled by his grandma, his mom, his dad, his sister, his brother, three aunts, two uncles, and his nephew—all of them now clothed in the light of the dying sun.
Although my one brother and sister-in-law had to leave a little earlier and my one nephew was sick in bed all day, I was glad to catch this shot of the gathering.
Warm fire. Circle of love. Sadness that I live so far away.
And yet great joy in knowing that I have a place to belong– in the midst of the generations.
Nice photo journey of the family, such a beautiful day in May-the best time of the year-!! Ruth
Ruth,
If it weren’t for the lovely paradise you and Arnold have created out there away from the “maddening crowd,” I wouldn’t have all these pictures.
Thanks again to both of you for always opening your home and hearts to those who come to your house and find peace.
What a gem Levi is! (Perhaps he’d like to come to Portland for a while?)
We’ll have to get you one of those machines like they had on Star Trek, so they can break you down to your molecules and whoosh you back and forth between Manteo and anywhere your loved ones live!
(I’m still trying to figure out why the toilet paper was locked up.)
Jan,
The Molecular Manteo Machine. I can see it now!
And yes, I continue to be puzzled by the toilet paper lock up, especially since it was basically a smallish, country convenience store. I’ve never seen anything quite like it!
Really? That was only in May? Seems like forever since you were here. 🙁 Thanks for another great, memory-capturing post. I’m so thankful we have a family that enjoys being together.
Deb,
Yes, those days and months seems to pass faster and fast don’t they? I hope you and Randy are having a grand vacation!
Beautiful pictures! How awesome it is that you could all get together and have 4 generations enjoy each other’s company. I love your sister’s dress…..she has an eye for putting together such a unique look, be it in clothes or in decorating. Love the little corgi dog–who does he belong to?
Frapper,
Yes, I have long admired my sister’s creative flair. No matter what she sets out to do, it has a Ruth Stamp all over it. 🙂
it is hard to live so far away. Makes the get-togethers so much more special. Every little detail is important. This is where photography comes in, later on you can look at the pictures and see things you missed while you were ‘doing’. It always gives me something to look forward to after I leave.
Lesley,
You’re right about photography being something to look forward to after the visit. So much fun to revisit moments and memories while shedding a tear or two that they’re already gone.
There just is nothing better than time spent with family. 🙂 It’s really nice to see that your mom is still so active! We got to spend Saturday with several nieces and nephews and their children plus our own kids, grandkids and my mother-in-law and her sister from Phoenix. I am so thankful that we were able to do it. Family is such a treasure!
My heart aches for home and my mom who has been gone for 20 years and now I have to go to a funeral of yet one more much loved elderly person from the family. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of my second cousins but I sure don’t like the circumstances. 🙁
Oops!! It posted twice…sorry.
LeeAnne, I deleted your second entry for you! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Funerals are truly a mixed blessing; tears for the one who died and laughter with the ones who remain. So many times, funerals are one of the few times we get to be with out extended families although I’m glad to hear you had a non-funeral reunion last Saturday. Sounds like such a fun time!
Such wonderful memories with the different family members. We no longer have grandmas, grandpas or aunts and uncles – so we cousins are sticking together – although far away from each other. Thankful for Facebook to keep in touch. Great pictures to to enjoy for many years and to remember that special time in May 2016.
Sharyn,
Cousins are a treasure, aren’t they? I’m always so glad to see Nathan and Sarah get to spend time with their cousins, although it doesn’t happen often. So wonderful to know that you stay in touch with yours and yes, I agree, FB is very helpful for that sort of thing. What did we do before it? 🙂
Beautiful pictures, you are feeling rather melancholy Becky, me too, it happens as you watch the younger generations grow but cheer up, we have ways to go yet. For myself, my daughter is getting married in September, that is something to look forward to! xxx
Angela,
Congratulations on an upcoming wedding! I know your mind is full of all sorts of ideas and details and things to be done. Exciting days!
And yes, seeing the changing of the generations happening before our eyes is sobering, isn’t it? It reminds me all over again to treasure every day and treasure every person.
Memories. How you make pictures come alive on a page! Happy times.
Ann,
I am so thankful for pictures and for the stories they tell, even after the story is over. So glad you enjoyed seeing them.
Very sweet.
Steve,
It was a sweet time, indeed.