Norfords' Ramblings

Friday February 6, 2009

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6.

Well, the week of our family reunion in England is over, and we have several hundred pictures to help us old folk remember it! What do I remember most? Most recent in my memory are the trips to Heathrow airport to ferry them back to their planes. Long traffic delays on one day that threatened to miss a flight, and a fast run the next in rain and fog! Alex’s flight to Montreal delayed a day because of weather. Sufficient frustration to make the text above meaningful. Bad weather is threatening again so I’m glad all the girls and their escorts are back safely.

But those aren’t the significant memories that will linger for a lifetime. Here are some: the generous use of a nine seat van that would take us all to visit the places of our childhood and early married life; eating together in a restaurant overlooking the beaches where we “courted”; watching the girls interact during and after meals (they all live great distances apart); and above all the warmth we felt in our renewed but short-lived family circle.

We spent time with our nearest relatives and also had a wider family “open house” where we contacted many family members unseen for many years, and with whom we plan to keep in touch. We were reminded again of the goodness of God in providing us with the growing family that we enjoy so deeply.

It was a busy time, Ann for the last few days throwing up occasionally and feeling weak. Some days we were busy from 5.00 am until late in the evening to maintain our responsibilities at the guest house and participate in family activities. We now have a break for a few days before it gets busy again. Time to recuperate, for Ann to catch up on her university work and for me to respond to some publishing needs—and perhaps be more regular in my blogs!

But the effort expended is less likely to be recalled in the light of the marvellous time we had—thanks to the willingness of our daughters and latest grandson and our granddaughter and husband, who all made the considerable effort and cost to join us. We love you all dearly.