Cousins will always be family!

Family is something we are born into. We don't get to choose our parents, grandparents, our siblings or our cousins. Each year the extended May family gathers for an annual reunion at Clarkco State Park in Quitman, Mississippi. We have done that for the past 26 years. I have been blessed to be a part of every one of them. What started out with three siblings, and three of their sisters-in-law, after a few years was down to only first cousins, their children, and their grandchildren. We have seen this group that met previously only at funerals become more attached to each other and far better acquainted. We have seen cousins' grandchildren become acquainted with their relatives. This underscores the importance of family.

This year we were blessed with the attendance of some second cousins (folks who share a set of great grandparents), one of whom I had met while visiting in Las Vegas years ago, and two sisters and their husbands who I met for the very first time. The sisters have another cousin who had attended and had planned to come this year, but he had bypass surgery and was unable to make it. They came anyway and added a lot to our group. The cousin from Nevada came with his wife, and one of his daughters, her husband and their three children. These all added 11 to our number.

It oftens seems like a four day eating contest and I am struggling to take off what I added to my weight that week. We started on Wednesday night with the coastal cousins bringing the shrimp. On Thursday, my oldest brother, Mike, hosted the brothers and their families for dinner at his cabin. He cooks some mean vegetables. I hosted for steaks and hamburgers on Friday. Then we had our icecream fellowship Friday night. Saturday was the day for our big covered dish luncheon. Several drive in just for that event. We enjoy each other's company, looking at old pictures, swimming in the lake, playing cards, and visiting "Dirt Cheap" in Quitman.
The week went by so fast (we arrived on Wednesday and left on Sunday, so that is alsmost a week!). I look forward to 2010. Wish it were tomorrow!