First to Papa Newman’s where we gathered and caravanned to the cemetery, where Mama Newman had been laid to rest in March. We would then returned to the house for dinner on the ground. All my Aunts would cook a dish and the food was something to look forward to.
We changed from gathering at the house and gathered at the cemetery, returning to the house.
The house eventually would become Uncle Clarence’s., Papa still lived there with them.
We grew as my cousins began their own families. Then we lost an Aunt and Papa the same year
After several years, Aunt Louise took over and we began to have dinner at her home in Henagar.
I’ve missed a few but not many. Most in the last few years.
This year 2020 we have been hit by a pandemic, COVID-19, which puts most of us at risk. We cannot gather and I fear that 2021 will not be the same.
Every one is precious but I agree, somehow in the age of coronavirus, all of these family times seem more urgent.
ReplyDeleteThey do. I have not lost anyone to COVID, but I have lost 3 cousins, 2 in the last 30 days. One first cousin, a little older than me, to Alzheimer’s. The other two relatively young lost to cancer and a car accident. My remaining Aunts and Uncle are in their 90’s, they could possibly outlive me. We could not attend the funerals or even visit to pay our respects. I feel cut off from my family.
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