Since being in Minnesota on Father's Day for a family reunion with my deceased alcoholic father's side of the family, I have been processing thoughts and emotions I had about all of us gathered there that day. It was one of the most powerful and poignant days in my life. We enjoyed many laughs and some unexpected tears. We sat on each others' laps and shared the strongest hugs I have ever had. We checked out similarities and celebrated uniqueness. While some talked about what had happened since the beginning of the weekend when they last saw one another, others caught up on the years that have passed when last in the company of one another. We bridged decades, lifetimes with those we had never met.
I stood on the deck looking out at family in the swimming pool splashing and in the hot tub conversing and laughing, their colorful swimsuits and trunks reflecting in the water like dazzling wavy ribbons in the new summer sun. If only the filter of time might weaken one gene for these and future generations, the dark heavy rope that has dragged a few under and to the bottom, and has challenged some of us to untie its knots from our souls, might begin to fray one year and disintegrate eons later. Until then I will remember each of them shining brightly for one another as I pray not you, not you, not you. . .
MLydiaM ~ July 2011
This magpie is inspired by my recent trip and the top image (of Endeavor, Lino Tagliapietra, Columbus Museum of Art) by Tess Kincaid, who hosts weekly photo writing prompts at Magpie Tales. There are many more magpies to read there.
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10 comments:
It sounds like a wonderful, and meaningful time.
You connected the beauty of the art with the emotions you experienced during your family reunion ~ perfectly.
Wonderful take on the Magpie! Family reunions are bittersweet in that way, aren't they. I hope that "ugly gene" has become well and truly "unknotted."
Thank you.
mythopolis~ It was. Thank you for being here and I will be catching up at your blog soon.
Helen~ Your comments are always so encouraging. They give me a lift and I thank you.
ds~ Thank you. I so appreciate your soulful comments on this post. That gene is unknotted for me; now may the others either not carry it or, if they do, may they unknot it sooner rather than later.
The ugly gene is in my family, too, and my children have not escaped it. I was lucky that it passed me by, but 'there but for the grace of God, go I'. It is a hidden disease just waiting to rear it's ugly head; one that destroys families and lives.
I am glad that you surmounted it and am also glad you had such a fabulous reunion.
This piece moved me for so many reasons but far too many to go into here.
Family reunions under any circumstances can I imagine, be both stressful and enjoyable. It seems to me that you had the experience of both and came out of it all on the positive side.
The way you wound the Mag into your personal story (or perhaps the other way round) is tremendous.
A touching post. So many can relate to these sentiments. What a beautiful family!
Darlene~ Your comments were so powerful and honest and wonderful. Thank you for being open to this post and for opening up to share.
Bee~ Thank you. I am glad you were moved and glad that you understand the nuances of family reunions. This was my first and set the bar high for any others.
Tess~ Thank you, and thank you for such a unique image to work from. Your photo of the piece certainly built my interest in the Columbus Museum of Art!
You weave a unique and interesting tapestry with the wavy ribbons. Families. Perhaps without them there would be so few stories to tell.
Jerry~ Ah, thanks much.
Indeed, so few stories to tell without them...
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