Tuesday, September 12, 2006

The More Things Change

I have spent this morning loading pictures from the family reunion I went to last May onto my computer. This was the first time in over 15 years that all nine siblings in my family were together -- probably the first time since my father's funeral in 1973 that we all spent an extended amount of time together. The fact that there was no bloodshed is a minor accomplishment in and of itself.




Mom was so happy to have all of her kids back together, even if she can barely remember our names because of her illness. One of the things we did that day was to recreate a picture that was taken of us when we were younger (much, much younger). I am going to post both of them here for you to see.



The top picture is how we all looked in 1963, just a few months after my youngest brother Mat was born. I am the beautiful one at the bottom right.


Fast forward to 2006 and here we are, older, heavier, greyer, but all still alive, praise God. In this picture, because Mat was a little too big to sit on Tina's lap, as he did in the first picture I am slightly behind him on the right.


I think I have blogged before about my struggles with family relationships. I am really not what you would call close with any of my siblings, but I do love them all and pray for them every day. I am the person I am today because of the family in which I grew up.


I just hope we don't wait another 15 to 25 years to all get together again. For all the minor frustrations of the weekend, it was really fun being around them for a little while. And, no one called me names, at least not to my face.


Pax

3 comments:

Suzanne said...

I am not just saying this...you ARE the beautiful one and you also look like the one with the brightest star of light in your eyes...like a saint or an angel like picture..now, I mean that! :) In this same picture, the girl at the top favors Katy a few years ago and you look so much like Bridget!
It is good to see you all...I think I've only met your mom, youngest brother, and one sister before. Thanks for sharing...this was nice. God bless them all, Maggie!

Anonymous said...

You're absolutely right Suzanne, I don't know how I was lucky enough to get the pretty one.

-mrangelmeg

Suzanne said...

I do, mrangelmeg...pretty ladies and gentlemen...they just go together! The love you both have for one another, family and friends..marvels me!
By the way, how do I say "Thank-you!" ?
There are hardly words to say it in the way we long to. There will be more about that later...May God bless and be with you both...always and forever.
Suzanne