BROTHERLY LOVE
Reconnecting with family in a fun-filled, three-day reunion was memorable for all
Three brothers, all in their 90s, reconnect with loved ones at a memorable family reunion.
Ihave always looked forward to any opportunity to get together with extended family and have helped plan several events, including a trip to Les Iles de la Madeleine in 2006 with my dad and cousins to visit one of my dad’s brothers and their late mother’s birthplace.
Last July, we planned a get-together so that my dad, Paul, and his brothers, Jeremie and William, who are all in their 90s, could be there. With family scattered all over, including in Quebec, Ontario and the United States, and William still living in Les Iles de la Madeleine, the idea to meet in Nova Scotia as a central point was born.
A total of three uncles, six cousins, four spouses or partners, and my two daughters with their friend, spent three wonderful days together. There were early-morning conversations among the brothers and cousins, some who hadn’t seen one another in more than 25 years. My dad and his brothers also relived many fond memories, including those of their sister who passed away in 1974.
Fun times were spent looking at old pictures, preparing meals together, and enjoying musical entertainment with my father and his nephew Claude on guitar, and his brother Jeremie and nieces on piano, vocals and bodhran, while William tapped his feet to the music. Ballads for each uncle were specially written and performed by my cousin Claude on guitar and vocals, generating tears among the clan and then laughter when Jeremie was heard saying to our cousin Cheryl that she was his favourite niece. The other nieces had something to say about that!
The artists in the family visited the local art gallery together and found a lovely spot in town to paint scenes of the Tidnish bridge together, the wine enthusiasts tasted wines and whiskey at Winegarden Estates and we had an epic, oh so entertaining dinner at the family-owned Riverside restaurant that opened just for us on our last evening. The owner’s sister was a funny and engaging hostess, who made us laugh and made our last evening so special.
If we allow ourselves to think about the future it is easy to feel sad as our time is running out with our fathers and uncles. While none of the cousins speak of this, we are well aware of how precious this time is, so it is our plan is to try and get together again this summer. Having all 12 cousins there would be great but how do you find a central spot to meet when one of the cousins lives in Arizona and another in Edmonton!
I hope my daughters felt the warmth that came from being with family. Even though we may not see one another very often, my goodness it did feel nice to be together.