Chicken Fest

The family reunion was today. My brother dubbed it "Chicken Fest" one year because of the family's obsession with fried chicken. Which really isn't fair when you consider they have another obsession with Sweet Tea too. Boxes and boxes of fried chicken. Gallons and gallons of sweet tea. This year we had homemade icecream too.
Not much to tell-people got older. There were 85 people there. I ate too much and had a good laugh when some of the old men called me little Katie-I've outgrown anything little a couple of pounds ago.But there were stories from long ago, and a history lesson given. I wandered through the cementary and remembered some of the wonderful,smiling faces that I wouldn't be seeing that day.Then focussed on my grown children-all three made it this year. Beth and Paul drove themselves from two different directions. The church service always seems special to me because I know my great grandparents founded that church. No one in the family can carry a tune in a bucket, but they all sing-really old classic hymns. I listened to my youngest sing-what a beautiful voice-I didn't realize she knew so many of the old songs, but she does. I also noticed that she couldn't sing all three verses of "Amazing Grace" and I know why. She didn't have to tell me, but I remember the last time she sang it and I don't think she finished all three verses then either.It was hard to keep from laughing when Patrick ate the unleven bread-he really isn't a fan. I had another good laugh when I got to show Beth and Paul my dad's new car-they couldn't believe that their Papa was so cool. Their Papa and their "G-K" showed up in a new midnight blue mercedes looking like a million bucks-they both looked so great and happy-it was just too contagious-you had to smile.
My offspring visited with people and each other. I can't tell them how proud of them I am-they way they behave-the way they interact with others-and the mutual respect that they have for each other. It's simply amazing.
I also feel so blessed to have a man that will attend "Chicken Fest" with me. He never gripes about the long trip-and seems to enjoy visiting with all of the old timers. Clifford and he have become buds-now they not only have hunting but bee stories to share. I secretly think he enjoys the dinner too-he started laughing when he saw how much chicken there was(there was also so roast beef and fish).
All in all-a good day.