For the last year my mother and I have been planning our family reunion. My mother’s father, or as I always refer to him Granddaddy George, had several brothers. The six boys grew up in Tennessee where they shined shoes and earned money to help the family and pay for piano lessons. No matter how poor they were, my great-grandmother always made sure they kept up with their piano lessons and school. She believed if they had musical talent they could learn to do anything and find their way anywhere. She couldn’t have been more right.
Granddaddy went on to become a doctor but first had to decide if he wanted to study opera or medicine. Not one to give up on music, he was known as the singing chiropractor. He traveled all over the Appalachian mountains and river valley with my grandmother and his seven daughters. My grandmother would play the piano and the family would sing together. They traveled to churches, community events and anywhere the flatbed truck carrying a piano would take them. Granddaddy became well known for his “patient picnics” where the talent in the family would perform along with any patients wanting to contribute. The potluck events were more like family reunions. I suppose that’s why our family reunions are partially modeled after those events.
Among the activities we have planned, you can be sure a talent show is certainly on the docket. But it doesn’t take much to get my aunts singing. The mention of a word that reminds them of a song and without hesitation the four remaining sisters break into four-part harmony. They even remember the coordinated hand motions or dances that go with the songs.
Their music has always held a special place in our family but this year it’s extra special. After postponing our annual event for several years, it’s a reminder that you never know when you may get to be with those you love again. It’s also the first reunion without my beloved Nan-Nan. Planning the event has certainly been a labor of love but I think I may be more excited than I was for Christmas to see everyone this weekend.
Folks began arriving Monday. The Colorado family arrived. First stop, my house for lunch. Aunt Carla and Uncle Barry were ecstatic to see the fruit and vegetables we had from the surrounding farmers and gardeners of the river valley. Uncle Barry said he had planted a ton of things in their back garden but that it was just a later season enough in Colorado they hadn’t yet reaped the fruit of their labor.
My aunt and uncle were especially excited for the summer squash we had from a May’s Lick garden. I can understand why they would be. It is one of my favorites. Picked when they are still young, the skin on summer …….
Source: https://maysville-online.com/lifestyle/199225/babz-bites-summer-squash
