Everybody get together. (Song - "Get Together" by The Youngbloods, 1967)
Covid-19 put a halt to all our family get-togethers last year, including celebrating my brother Ronald's 80th birthday.
Ron was 3-1/2 years old when I was born, so he is one of the few still around who has been there my whole life.
2020 was even tougher on him - two heart surgeries, no birthday celebration with family - a stroke - and then at the close of the year, he got the coronavirus.
Which is why I was so happy on July 5 when I received a message inviting us to a belated birthday get-together for him organized by his three children.
We gathered at one of the shelters at Lake Icaria.
It was a beautiful day, but windy.
Christine designated the theme of the day as pirates because she wanted to hear her Dad say, Aye, matey! (I'm 80.) 😄
(Christine as the pirate, Erick looking on, his mom Lorrie in pink.)
My niece Lorrie, my younger brother, Les, and his wife Susan.
Nephew Andrew contributed his signature pulled pork sandwiches. They were so good.
Others brought side dishes, birthday cake, etc. Plenty of food and all very tasty.
Andrew's partner, Milacha, with her back to the camera.
Lorrie and her husband Kevin. Lorrie and Andrew are twins.
Christine (Ron's youngest) and her husband Dale.
I should have taken pictures of Ron's grandsons at this time. After lunch they went swimming so I only have the photo of Erick. The other grandsons are Erick's twin, Aiden and younger brother Carston and Andrew's son, Nicholas.
Posed photos time: Younger brother, Les, Me and the birthday boy, Ron.
The last time we were together was in September, 2017 when Les came to Corning for his 45th Class Reunion.
Ron and his wife Marge with Christine, Lorrie and Andrew.
Better picture of Ron's children.
Their expressions say something about their personalities. 😘
Some unposed photos:
Milacha and Marge.
And Lorrie and her Dad.
Ron brought their highschool graduations pictures - representing their mirrored ages - 18 and 81.
One final picture - a chalk drawing by Lorrie.
It was supposed to be a pirate ship (note the Jolly Roger flag at the top), but somehow morphed into a Viking ship.
Or maybe it is a pirate ship manned by Vikings?
Regardless, it was a wonderful day being with family again. I smiled on, and with, my brothers.
I came home happy and very grateful to have had the time with them.
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