September 17, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
A Journey into the Past
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Mackinac Island/Upper Peninsula
Chapter 3: The wedding and surrounding events
Chapter 4: Johnny Appleseed and Proposal
Chapter 5: Closing remarks
Chapter 6: Footnotes
Epilogue
Chapter 1: Introduction
All of the events you are about to read came about because my nephew,
Cameron, decided to get married to his sweetheart, Amy. He is the last
child of my sister, Jessie, to be married, so the family decided to
make it a family reunion in addition to the wedding.
I have on my bookshelf a small collection of books/stories by Maurice
Sendak. This collection is called the Nutshell Library. This, in fact,
reveals the events in the last ten days in nutshell form. Pour the tea,
set aside the Sunday Paper, come with me into the past, anyone's past
really...let your imagination enjoy the Journey.
Chapter 2: Mackinac Island/Upper Peninsula
Late last May it was decided (hoped for) that Philip would drive the
thousand miles to Indiana to meet my family. (He had never met my parents
or most of the brothers and sisters!) and to spend a few days on Mackinac
Island.
Mackinac Island was chosen because we spent our summers there are children.
We had a lovely old house on the water. Mom would start buying groceries
early in January and squirreling them away for the summer. Once we took
a picture of our Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup and sent it to them
for an advertisement. I mean, we were feeding lots of children and had
pancakes almost every morning!
When we first arrived at the house, we would unload the groceries, run
down to the water on the pine-scented trail and just breathe in the
freshness and beauty. Mom would call us back in to haul our gear upstairs
and get unpacked. We didn't need much for the summer...our bathing suits,
scuba gear (they were plastic and did not work!) shorts, a sweatshirt
for cold evenings, and cards for Rook.
Our first stop in town was to the library to get our summer library
cards and fill our bags with reading material...we are all readers!
Once each summer (well, twice after I got my driver's license!) we went
to the island to ride the carriage, buy fudge, climb up to Arch rock,
and listen to the canon at the fort. I don't remember caring much about
the history...mostly the fudge.
So, it was decided we would go on this journey..
Mom and Dad have been traveling in the upper Midwest and to New York
to see my Uncle Dean for a couple of months and decided to pass on the
trip..letting the memories lie as they were.
Philip had never made this journey so the trip was on as we spent three
and a half days traveling the upper peninsula. We drove through cold
rain up to Whitefish Point to view Lake Superior and the graveyard museum.
Late Friday we took the ferry over to Mackinac Island. Memories flooded
my being as Philip was just enthralled with comparing island life. He
spoke to all of the folks who were local and heard their stories.
We took the carriage ride...bought fudge...climbed to Arch Rock..found
a great Irish pub with music late into the night. We made new memories
together while I added them to my childhood.
At this point in my life, I always wonder if it will come again...but
pushing that thought aside...the weather was perfect...and I loved sharing
the past with Philip.
Once off the Island, we tried to find the old house...I took a photo
of one that I thought might be The One. Looking in the windows, I could
see all of us sunburned kids reading around the fireplace..having pancakes
at the old round oak table and playing cards into the night.
It was wonderful.
Chapter 3: The wedding and surrounding events
Family began arriving on Thursday..flying in from Texas and Colorado.
Nieces and nephews...children everywhere. Thursday evening we started
with a meet and greet time...I think it was overwhelming for Philip...so
many of them...so loud.
It was wonderful to be together with all of my sisters, Jo, Lee, Leslie
and my brother, Jack and his new wife Denise...and all of the children.
The past four days was scheduled by Jo (Jessie) with itineraries for
all of us..including, but not limited to....day spa for the ladies,
golfing for the men, Putt-Putt for the children (of which Philip was
in charge), non-rehearsal dinner (?).
The absolute most fun was the trolley event. My sister hired a Fort
Wayne trolley to take us on Memory Lane. We all boarded and were served
coffee and rolls as we took our seats (the children hung out the back)...We
were joined by my parents best friends, Barb and George (they have been
best friends since high school)...and we toured Fort Wayne...all of
the downtown...where my parents bought their wedding rings..where each
of us were born...we hopped out...took photos...told stories...
It was wonderful seeing it all together with my brothers and sisters
and parents. So much we had forgotten, so much we never knew.
The wedding was in the evening at Historic Winona Lake...we all danced
until the DJ packed up...we were brothers and sisters...Uncles and Aunties....we
were family..we laughed...slipped off our shoes..and enjoyed every moment.
It is etched in my mind.
Chapter 4: Johnny Appleseed
During all of the events, I still had to tell stories at the Johnny
Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne (I will be there yet today!)....
After the trolley ride, I changed into my 1800's garb complete with
pigtails...my sisters called me a grown up Raggedy Ann! Philip and I
slipped over to the sights and smells of the festival...he loved it
right away!
During one of my stories, I had a gentleman on stage during an audience
participation story, I made reference to his wife in the audience, (he
whispered to me that she was not his wife, but would like her to be
so)...he took the microphone and proposed on the stage. She was speechless,
then said, yes. She ran up onto the stage, they had their moment while
the audience was absolutely delighted and just cheered and cheered!
We finally finished the story while the happy couple ate carmel apples
on a hay bale listening to the rest of my tales.
When I was finished, we left immediately for the wedding...I attended
in my Raggedy Ann garb (no time to change!)....no one seemed to notice.
Chapter 5: Closing Remarks
By the time I write, the Texas folks have left. We had lots of time
together...lots of conversations..I am glad Philip met all of them.
I am glad they are all in my life...even though it is far apart and
brief.
There were family members that did not make it..my sons for one. Oh,
how I would have loved them to attend..meet their Aunties and Uncles
and cousins...my Uncle Dean would have loved the events as well.
I can't grieve over what isn't...just be joyous about what is...who
we are..and enjoy the moments as they come. By tomorrow they will all
be on their way home..including Philip...it has been wonderful.
We also have photos..the family photo was so large we couldn't find
a space to take it!!
Families are odd, you know. In my family, we spend our lives living
apart..we don''t know what kind of cars we drive, or what we all have
for breakfast, or who our best friends are...but in these moments of
family...we learn to love each other all over again.
Chapter 6: Footnotes
In other news, my boys and their wives just returned from Mexico, spending
family time together and having a wonderful time.
Jonah turned two this week...we celebrated on Monday night with a family
dinner here with Philip baking the cake!!
Epilogue
"That it will never come again
Is what makes life so sweet.
Believing what we don't believe
Does not exhilarate.
That if it be, it be at best;
An ablative estate
this instigates an appetite
Precisely opposite."
Emily Dickinson
Love to all,
Lou Ann
Return
to Sunday Passages
