A member of our family passed away this past week. The news brought to mind so many memories.
One of them was of family reunions. Do families still have them?
We would wait patiently for the appointed day to arrive. My mother would spend days preparing the food, which always was shared with the other family members.
If the event was held at a park we would spend the day catching up and playing with our cousins. If we were lucky there was a pool and we were able to swim.
I also thought about a family get together in my parent's backyard.
It actually was a clambake. Our fathers brought large burlap sacks full of clams and scrub the sand out of them. That was way back when the price of clams was minimal compared to today.
Then a wood fire was built in the outdoor fire place and the clams were steamed in large pots of boiling water.
There was also sweet corn, with the husks still attached, roasted on top of the iron grates in between burlap bags that were kept moist with water.
The side dishes were homemade potato salad, coleslaw, pickled eggs and numerous other goodies and of course desserts of all kind.The liquid refreshment was usually beer on tap for the grown ups and soda or Kool-Aid for us kids. Our Moms usually found their way into the house for Whiskey Sours, on the pretense of cleaning up and doing dishes.
There was always a clam eating contest between my Dad and Aunt Ethel. Most years it ended in a tie, after which the bicarbonate of soda was passed around.
After the food was consumed and the tables cleared. The cards were brought out and the card game ensued. Needless to say it sometimes got a bit loud and noisy.
We, the younger generation played Bean Bag Toss, or Hide and Seek.
Those were good times and warm memories. No interruptions from cell phones.
It has occurred to me that my generation is now the older one. Our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have all passed on, as have some cousins like this past week.
Remember your good times and cherish the memories.
Rest in peace, Warren.
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