I enjoyed going to family reunions
With my siblings and mom and dad.
My mom always brought a boxful of food:
Macaroni salad, chicken, and pork and beans.
At Porter reunions we played softball.
Sometimes we played Bingo.
Everyone shared a salad.
Watermelon was furnished for all.
At Jensen reunions we had guessing games.
There were quilts we tried to win.
We guess the number of items in jars
There were games like sack races.
At one Jensen reunion my dad’s siblings
Shared memories of them growing up.
So many cousins came to these reunions.
I did not know them all.
There were also talent shows
At the Jensen reunions.
Mostly the children performed.
My dad played his accordion, harmonica.
So many memories there were
At these family reunions.
There was swimming, pie eating contests.
Everyone had a great time.
The last Jensen reunion was ten years ago
My dad and all of his siblings have passed.
Not having reunions is hard for me.
They’re so important I know.
I took photos of my cousins,
Aunts and uncles, and the games.
These photos I will always treasure
I wish I had taken even more.
August 20, 2025
About the Creator
Darla M Seely
I am 58 years old. I love to write poems, crochet, take photos, and make scrapbooks. I write poems about Jesus, love, friendship, how to improve, forgiveness, my cat, holidays. I enjoy making afghans for friends, family, taking photos
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Thoughts on Vocal and the way the world is
"Death cannot stop true love, only delay it." – Wesley in The Princess Bride. I decided to come back to Vocal on a very cold and dark night at the end of December. I had been, and still am, convalescing from a horrible staph infection that had gone misdiagnosed for months. This, paired with the increasing challenges of being healthy, making the best choices for my co-parented child, being a wife, and being a director at a new job, was a lot to manage.
By Jazzy 3 days ago in Confessions
Comments (1)
Macaroni salad, chicken, pork and beans sounds like all the stuff that would keep you full 😋 Your dad sounds like a gifted man with his harmonica. Awe I am so sorry Darla, that these reunions went away with time. The picture of your dad and his accordion is so heartwarming. Sending you lots of love and hugs ♥️🤗