Mag 71 -- like dazzling wavy ribbons

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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Family Reunion in Minnesota

family by Vladimir Moldavsky


I am going to a family reunion on Sunday at the home of my niece, Lori, who lives in Minneapolis. Her father will be there and his brother, too. This is altogether wonderful because those two men happen to be my older brothers, with whom I was not raised and have not spent nearly enough hours in our lifetimes together. It has been about 34 years since I met them for the first time, which was the last time I saw Lori's dad, although my other brother did visit me here in Oregon 20 long years ago.

Each of them had five kids and those kids now have their own families.....and quite a few of those people will be there at the reunion. One of them is my nephew, Ron, who has been stationed in Iraq since July 2010 and just got back to the U.S. last week. His brother, my nephew Jim, is coming from Korea where he and his wife have made their home. So those two will have made the longest trips to the reunion, and I imagine I will come in third.

BLOGCATION ~ I fly out on Saturday afternoon and will return home on Wednesday night, and will not be posting (including Old Postcard Wednesday) or commenting those days.

Our 15-year-old precious cat, Feather, has had a terrible decline in her health in the last week. I took her to the vet yesterday and x-rays showed she was filled with fluid. Her vet believes it to be cancer, and recommended euthanasia. Because she is not in pain, and because she is such a baby needing home and us more than anything, I brought her home. She is eating well the last 24 hours, sipping water, listening to classical music, sitting in windows watching birds and smelling summer in the air. Please, while I am away, send many blessings of hope, prayer, and soothing wishes to my Feather Sweet for her to be strong enough to be here when I come home (I am thinking of Paul Simon's song, Mother and Child Reunion...). My husband will be taking two-hour lunches on Mon-Wed to come home mid day and will be with her each night. May love shine all around this house and keep my family safe...... and I wish the same for Lori's reunion house.

 Feather - June 17, 2011

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Dazzling Brightness

Last Thursday Mike and I drove over the snowy Cascades to Bend to attend the memorial service for a dear family member. After the standing-room-only community service, family gathered at my cousin Ann's high desert home. All my cousins from that side of the family were there, along with their spouses, grown children, and the next generation of smart and beautiful little ones (including one adorable surprise, Zoe, whose entry into the family was news to me!). It had been years since I'd seen my cousins and their families and I'd nearly forgotten what remarkable people they are. I kept saying to Mike, "I love my family" because I was struck moment to moment by this dazzling brightness around them. There was a light born of unconditional love, ringing laughter, deep respect, shared sorrow, sweet memory, and celebration of one another and of those no longer with us.

We took pictures and have some good shots. But I needed something for this post that was more representative of how it felt to be in the presence of family. In this painting of Yosemite I recognized their shining spirit, joy, peace, fellowship, and strength. Looking at it: nothing more need be said.



painting of Yosemite - clipart.com subscription