A gathering of Mothers, a gathering of love...

 Yesterday we gathered at our Aunt Mae Mae's home

for a gathering of aunts, first and second cousins, and a 

few men and babies.

I realized driving there that I had not been to my Aunt Mae's

home since when I was a teenager and my second cousin

Greg came home from the hospital when born.

I had that "dejavu" moment when entering a place

you have not been to since childhood,

everything looked so different but some things looked

much the same. The thing that striked me the most

was how I used to think the house was so big,

now I realize it is just an average size home.

 As I walked around and mingled,

spoke with the Collins side of my family I realized

that aside from the two sweet babies there

and the two men, we all were bonded by family as well

as Motherhood. It was such a great day, speaking

of the old days, the family members who have passed us

and how great it was to be together on a Monday.

Taking time to visit with no time limit pressured on us.

 Cousin Shana was able to show us all her 

sweet grand baby, Collin, carrying the name

that bonded us all, Collins.

I had wished I had asked to bring Bean.

 My aunt GaGAld, always looked so well put together,

so attractive is the aunt who my parent and I stayed with 

always while I went back and forth to Touro hospital.

A bond was built between us many moons ago

and I can't see her without feeling an overwhelming

sense of wanting to thank her and let her know just

how important she and her family was to me growing up.

Of course, I don't, this gathering is not about me,

it's about family and love so I tell her many times

throughout the visit, "I love you"

I am so glad I don't have trouble using those magical words

and yet, I also don't overuse it by saying to everyone

as it tends to loose it's significance when you do.

However, there is not one person in that home that

I could not say I love you and mean it deeply.

 Then my dear sweet Aunt Jeanie.

When I looked back at this picture I swear, it

was like looking at my Daddy. It kind of 

shocked me as to just how much she looks like him.

Now my Aunt Jeanie, she is just as apt to be talking

religion as throwing underlying sexual statements.

Such as when talking about her "boo-yee" she speaks

of how to make it hard and then she begins to talk

to the Taunt Mone about her knack of making "things Hard"

Oh, that Aunt Genie!

 She is hysterical in a serious way. As I took the bottom pic

she says, "Wait, let me get ready so you can take a good

picture for my tombstone when I die"

Phahahaha as sister Rosie would say....

 My real reason for making sure I was there was

for this wonderful cousin, Fay.

She is my first cousin and the daughter of my Aunt GaGald.

She was a young married woman with her cute little girl

under her toe when I went there for many years

during my treatment years.

She had only one child, Stephanie and I loved

when we went to her Mom's she always came to visit

and spoil me. One of my memories is of going to

Little Stephanie's dance recital and I was so tickled by

the fact that on the big stage, under the bright lights,

all Steph did was lick her fingers and picked up the

dropped sequins off the floor from the costumes.

The picture of that evening in my mind, still causes

a chuckle.

Cousin Fay, was so happy yesterday and so positive

about her surgery needed soon for a new diagnosis of 

lung cancer. I hate this for her and yet,

I know her personality. She will smile through the whole

ordeal, spend time comforting those she loves rather

than letting the focus be on her for too long.

I know part of her has to be a bit scared.

Which of us would not.

All her words though are on getting this done

and moving on in her life. 

I ask for prayers for my cousin Fay, and for

her family who she worries about more than herself.

 As I look onto the rooms that are filled with women

and two men, I realize most of us are mothers.

There are a few of 4 generation gatherers there.

So proud to be bonded by each of these ladies in

so many ways.

 Love all around for so many of us.

A wonderful day and on the way home,

thinking of all the memories to add to 

my heart, the drive became not such a big deal.

A blessed family are we all.