The Family Reunion
“Mom, do I have to go?
Sally’s mom said she would take us to the movie. Why do I have to go to a
family reunion? I’m sure Grandma’s
cousin from California won’t know if I’m there or not,” Annie whined.
“Why do I have to go if Annie
doesn’t?” Danny asked. “It’s not fair. Jeff and I planned to study together for
our big test in—uh—in--in history. Yes, for our big test in history next
Monday. Please don’t make me go to the reunion.”
“I really need to work
Saturday afternoon. Next week is going to be a busy one at the office. I
thought I could get a head start on the week if I worked instead of going to
the reunion,” my husband said calmly and logically. (Interpret that to mean
there was no room for discussion.)
I wasn’t excited about going
to the reunion picnic myself. It was August—hot, hot August, but there are some
things a child does for her parents. So yes, I made plans to drive the forty
miles to attend the reunion. In a moment of total lack of consideration for the
fair treatment of all my children, I excused Annie and Danny from the reunion.
Susie and David were at a loss for any kind of excuse for not attending, so I
declared they were going.
“I’ll go if Molly can go with
me. If her mom says she can go, can she, please, Mom?” Susie asked. I didn’t
see any reason her friend couldn’t go.
“If I go, can Ben go with
me?” David asked.
Off to the reunion I traveled,
four kids in tow. Grandma introduced us to her family members. She attempted to
explain to a couple of her cousins that only two of the kids were mine. She
explained the other two were guests. There were a lot of aunts, uncles,
brothers, sisters, and cousins at the reunion, though. Grandma finally gave up
and just introduced me as her daughter and the four kids with me as her grandchildren.
I received many compliments
for my well-behaved, nice-looking children. Most people commented on the family
resemblance of the four. “Oh, yes, I can sure tell those are your kids.” I just
smiled and said thank you.
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