Precious Family Photos

We took a little day-trip yesterday to visit the town where The Referee grew up. Most of his family still live there. His paternal side of the family were gathering for an anniversary party for his grandparents, who are celebrating 60 years of marriage this month. His family is very efficient in their gatherings. They arrive, eat, take pictures together, view a sideshow of family pictures, then leave. Some stayed behind to clean up. The entire event barely lasted 2 hours. There was no hanging out playing board games, or basketball, or even telling jokes, or a drunken brawl. It is so much different than any of my own family's reunions. I am glad we were able to attend the party, because we were able to see some folks we don't see very often, and especially because I managed to get a few precious family photos while we were there.

This is a picture of The Referee's father, and our children. Jersey #4 and Jersey #5 were meeting their grandfather for the first time...

Thanks to The Referee's quick thinking, I was able to get a 4-generation photo too. It is such a rarity that they are all gathered in one location at the same time, that this is only the 2nd time I have been able to take such a photo in the 5 years of Jersey #3's life. This photo contains the oldest son (Jersey #3) of the oldest son (The Referee) of the oldest son...

And thankfully, when parents fall short in their responsibilities sometimes, God fills our needs with other loving folk. This is a picture of The Referee with his Uncle and Aunt, who have been big influences throughout his life. They tell me stories of babysitting him when he was young, and training him in martial arts as he grew up. This Uncle is the only man in The Referee's family who was willing to hug him, and look at pictures of our daughter, Mackenzie, after she was stillborn, and try to comfort him in his grief. He also demonstrated ways to honor your father, in spite of pain and bitterness about what should have been. He speaks politely of The Referee's father, or he holds his tongue. He inquires about The Referee's life, listens intently like he actually cares, and smiles and cheers every achievement. The Referee is relaxed when he is around this Aunt and Uncle, and laughs whenever he shares stories about growing up around them...