Family Reunion Time

Every 3 years we have a Myers Family Reunion the first Saturday in July. Last Saturday was a great day at the Livingston Park (Livingston was the "home base" for my Grandma & Grandpa, May & Clarice Myers). My mom Jeanne is the youngest of 12--yes TWELVE--children (born 1912-1932) born to Clarice & May. Grandma & Grandpa began raising their family on a farm near Laurel, Nebraska...then Kimball, South Dakota....then Arthur/Livingston, Wisconsin. What a tremendous amount of hard work and love they poured into their lives and the lives of their children, grandchildren, greats and great-greats... I only knew them for a short while, so this reunion is a great way for me to hear more stories about them and all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

It was so special for my mom to reunite with her brother Jupe (Clarice Myers, Jr.) who lives near Brandenburg, Kentucky. Uncle Jupe is 84 now and in very good physical health except for his eyes and hearing. He has always been a quite independent, strong man, and it's hard for someone like him to not be able to drive and such. Many thanks to his eldest (my cousin) Marshall for driving him up to the reunion!
Three years ago I put together a photo book/journal of family memories entitled "Mostly Myers". I loved hearing stories that Uncle Jupe shared with me, like helping Grandpa on the farm, earning 50 cents an hour at Oscar Mayer in 1941, paying $35.00 for a 1928 Model T while attending Mining School, and operating submarines in World War II. What a hardworking, well-rounded, intelligent and courageous man.
My mom gets her tireless work ethic and devotion to family from her own mother. It's neat to hear other relatives comment on how much my mother resembles Grandma (in appearance and in heart). These are women who spent years raising large families on meager budgets, huge gardens, wringer washers, and sewing machines. No Walmarts, supermarkets, or modern appliances. It just boggles my mind. I admire them, I respect them, and I love them! When people say that I'm like Mom in certain ways, I take it as a huge compliment!

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. --2 Timothy 1:5