Family Time in Atlanta

By good fortune of timing, we were able to hold a mini-reunion with my Aunt Frances and cousins Stan and Vickie while I was in Atlanta.

Left to right: My sister Caryn, brother Ellis ("Buddy"), me--Ken, Stan, and Vickie.

Daddy with his "little sister" Frances.  14 years separated them in birth, but they have always been extremely close.  When Daddy was off in college and again in World War II, his letters would refer to her as his prettiest sister, his smartest sister, and so on.  Frances said that really flattered her-- until she realized he meant his only sister!  Quite a jokester, Daddy was and remains, but the affection was real.

Our gathering at a Cracker Barrell this day was a festive time.  As good as the food was, it took second place to the gabfest today.  It was wonderful that both Daddy and Frances had all of their children present.  And at least half of all the conversations were about the grandchildren and great grandchildren who were not with us.

Added into this picture are Caryn's lovely daughters Brantley (front row) and Lindsey (back row), and Craig, Vickie's husband.

For a quick retrospective, here are two photos from 1963, at Mama and Papa Loyd's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  All four of their children were present: Frances, the youngest, Raymond, Herman, and Marvin, the eldest.  And the eldest is still kicking pretty well at 97!

I am very thankful to possess this picture, with Mama and Papa Loyd, all four of their children and their spouses, and all seven grandchildren.  I won't try to identify each one here, but maybe you'll have some fun trying to guess who's who.

I look forward to future family get-togethers with both sides of my family.