A Family Reunion

The Maxwell Family Reunion was still going to occur even though it seemed we were surrounded by crisis.  Mary was hourly watching out for lava flow back home in Hilo and talking regularly to Jim to be sure he was ready to vacate the house if necessary.

Mary was also preparing to dash to Ft Worth as soon as the weekend affair ended to start funeral arrangements for Aunt Louise.   I planned on waiting to leave for Ft Worth until mid-week because cousin Jamie was having open heart surgery on Wednesday and I wanted to stay around long enough to know he (and Linda) were okay.

(Mr/Mrs Ken Maxwell, Patsy Maxwell, Doris Maxwell, Jo, Mary, Denise & Jamie)

Half of us at this affair are Maxwell descendants and the one thing a good many of us seem to share in some way are crummy tickers!  

There were others missing from this event that were also dealing with heart problems--cousins, Jerry Otis and his son Tavius. Thankfully all the hearts have been repaired and are mending.

Once again family friend Dickie let us use his beautiful renovated plantation home for the reunion.

The veranda was everyone's favorite spot.

Linda is surrounded by her mother and her aunt--twins.

(Wendy, Dickie, Mimi, Dwight)

More sisters.

(Lindsey)

Aunt Doris Maxwell is the last surviving aunt of that generation. And she is still as cheerful and loving as she has ever been.  We also have one surviving uncle, Merrill, who could not attend.  He is in an assisted living home in San Antonio.  

Dwight with the youngest Maxwell descendant.

Are we laughing or crying?

Little Lindsey

That is the original kitchen.  It is not used as a kitchen anymore--storage I think.

Dickie is very rightly proud of the chandeliers he has installed.  They are beautiful.

The bedrooms are lovely.  The plantation house is being used for weddings and reunions like ours but it will soon (we hope) be a B & B as well.

(Wendy, Jamie, Mimi)

Two sisters and their fantastic dad.

The last day before everyone was due to leave we went to Mimi's house for a very traditional 'Louisiana Crawfish Boil'.

These little tiny lobsters are tough to crack and peel so one has lots of time to sit and visit while working one's way through that mountain of crawfish.

During that afternoon we actually went through two mountains of this delicacy.  Food just doesn't get any better.  But boy, were my fingers ever sore. 

 

The Master Chefs, Brian and David

Mary, on the phone to Jim. "The lava isn't getting any closer."

Cousin Stephanie and the newest member of the family.

Lindsey

The next morning Jo and Mary headed to the airport.   Jo returned to Redding where, in only a few weeks time the Carr wildfire would force her out of her home.  Thankfully the fire skirted her street but it came very close.

Mary headed to Ft Worth and I would meet her there in just a few days time.   Such a happy/sad summer...stressful and never relaxing with so many crisis in a row.