Within Seasons

What might be your feeling regarding Family Autumn memories within holidays; Thanksgiving, Halloween, birthdays?

Within Seasons

Entrance to winter and Special Occasions; 

written beginning of November, finished

 early January 2018

Part of the beauty of autumn within my family of origin was always the special occasion of October through December, processing into winter.  Day’s cold, leaves transitioning within bejeweled tones draped in Maple trees.

 Second oldest to me, Sister Lori Kay’s, birthday was celebrated October fourth. Of course we family of seven, Dad and mother and we five kids celebrated together at home with a birthday party for her. 

 Then at school there was always a Halloween party for all grade school kids towards end of October.   I was reminded tonight as a group of five darling little preschool age children came to my door, trick or treating. It would have been great to of taken a picture of them. They stay little for such a short time. I am sure their parents waiting at the end of our sidewalk felt the same. 

Then my sister Pamela Carol’s birthday came November 20^th.  Mother made a cake and we would always have a special birthday dinner for her too.

 Before we knew it along came Thanksgiving Day. It was held for a very long time at an old church tucked into old town Woodburn Where myself and siblings grew up across the street from where my Aunt Pauline and Uncle Howard Gustafson once lived and raised their family.  

 Eventually our whole extended family of about one hundred jointly rented use of the Woodburn Bible Baptist Church kitchen facilities and one of the Sunday school classrooms for all of our families’ kids.

 Mother and Dad had sent me and my two sisters Lori and Pamela to this church where we attended Sunday school and children’s church with my Grandma Audrey and Grandpa Paul Case. 

Back to Thanksgiving- We had always begun with prayer and just visiting and catching up. 

I remember now the  blessed whispers of memories which still live in this heart as Grandpa and Grandma Case  once danced a waltz while the whole family sang, ‘With someone like you, a pal so good and true,” while Aunt Pauline accompanied on the piano with her unique sweet long cascading melodic flourishes. 

 I suppose to all people smells of holiday food; close family, friends and music go together.  We Family members always had a special dish we prepared and shared pot luck style at these Thanksgiving get togethers-

Aunt Pauline’s baked beans, Aunt Janice’s homemade chocolate cake, Grandma Audrey’s chicken and dumplings and the list goes on and on. I have always made a pineapple, lemon, cream cheese and whip cream jelled salad and over time have tripled it.  

Brother Marty, many a time has reminded that he should get a separate container of his own and it has been my little gift to him.

 These times, these seasons of happy memories are a gift. Things have changed and the gatherings are no longer shared in this way as we grew up and little ones married and started own families. 

My Grandparents have gone on to heaven. Aunt Pauline their oldest daughter and her husband have also been gone these many years. Another sibling her brother, my Uncle Vernon then stepped through heaven’s door to meet Jesus.  My cousin Bradley Paul died of brittle diabetes and His mother, My Aunt Adeline died as well some years ago. 

They will meet My Uncle Bud, husband and father, maybe soon in that sweet eternal place as he has been ailing now for about three weeks as many hold him in their prayers.  

Now it is January and still I know where all extended family members are in Minnesota and here in Oregon, but we are all living and loving. 

Nowadays Summer Fourth of July get togethers are our opportunity to see one another- a family reunion my parents host for all that can make it. This is when we cousins can interface and just catch up in the house, sunroom and out in the summer warmth. 

 The remaining siblings of my father each year gather at a restaurant for their mother’s birthday in April, to talk and reminisce. I’ve gone a few times with my husband Tim. It is always special to spend some time with Aunts and Uncles. I know that they all remember their own cousins, Aunts and Uncles gone on before them and their own youth and the few still living. The Lord has been good in all times now gone.

 Past experiences of life were as real as this present season.  People loved, family so precious now passed away they’ve each left a message. Nothing lasts forever. 

So veil upon veil is passed through as this life transitions but The Lord Jesus Christ remains solid and our hope in all. I know that God will always be faithful to complete what He has begun in each of my immediate family and in the hearts of my few remaining Aunts, Uncles and all the many cousins, their spouses and children.

 Those we remember and miss are still alive in our heart’s memory.  How beautiful to remember that God is not limited by time, location, circumstances or death’s reality. God is the God of the living and those gone on before here and eventually through Eternity’s mighty door.  

Bless the Lord.

Author's Note

Do you have any special family memories where possibly even with school, organizations Aunts, uncles or people that loved as if family?

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is really beautiful in so many ways and I love that it centers around family love and our Lord. I was the youngest of ten children of which two died at birth. Three of us boys and all four girls survive. One of my brothers passed away the same night my youngest daughter was born. It really brought home that, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" passage in the Book of Job. My dad became a big CB radio enthusiast in the seventies and we used to attend "Jamborees" and meet other CBers. Growing up I enjoyed music more than anything and my older sister bought a phonograph. Then dad bought this big box stereo for us all. I remember listening to Dinah Shore sing Buttons and Bows on it. Later, it was Eddy Arnold and Jim Reeves. My mother loved Jim and went to his museum with my brother that passed away. While there, mother pointed out a lady and told my brother, "That's Mary Reeves!" Jim's widow. My brother said, "No, mom, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be down here in the gift shop." My mom, being the honest straightforward type just walked up and said, "Excuse me, but are you Mary Reeves?" The lady said, Yes, I am. Thank you for recognizing me!" and laughed. Mom got her autograph. My brother was always doing things for others. He took my sisters to Graceland, both big Elvis fans. And he took me to see Eric Clapton on his fifty year recording anniversary. I'll never forget that night! I had lots of fun as a kid just playing with my siblings, wading in the creeks, playing in the woods and playing games like Red Rover, Stoplight, making hand made kites and flying them and playing backyard baseball. We whittled out slingshots and little wooden canoes to float in the creek. We caught all sorts of critters, especially us boys; box turtles, spring lizards and snakes. What a great life it was.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Fabian G. Franklin,
What a joy reading your review just now. I remember the games you mentioned; Red Rover, Stoplight. We had a creek behind a Catholic school and church we kids use to play in. I probably was not safe but we all did it. Tadpoles were what drew us there. I am familiar with the song, 'anytime' by Eddy Arnold. It's fun to mention these old songs and my parents can sing them. Many that Iv'e not heard but sometimes I can kind of sing along. Love your review because it reminds me in some ways of my own childhood. We were not super rich but it never seemed important.
Blessings, as always,
Kathy

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love that song! ( in best crooning voice) ~ "Anytime, you're feeling lonely, anytime, you're feeling blue, anytime you're thinking of me, that's the time I'll think of you"~ funny also that you have an "uncle Bud"...I have a brother Bud that of course to my kids is "uncle Bud". His real name is George
but when mom brought him home from the hospital my oldest sister called him her "little buddy" It stuck. You're such a sweet friend. Thank you for bearing with my nostalgia and sharing a bit of your childhood with me. Bless, F. P.S. I think we were very rich...in the things that mattered. ;)

[KAREN]

This was a beautifully written story full of memories and family time and most importantly, God was there too

[Kathy Van Kurin]

storiestotell,
Yes I do feel that the Lord Jesus Christ was and is my true help and strength then and now. It's nice to think you liked my little writing,
Blessings,
Kathy

[KAREN]

I enjoyed it!

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This was so heart felt! Growing up we always had get to gathers at my Maw maw Pap Pa's house. When they passed on the get togethers didn't happen as much!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Yes I understand but am glad you had these good times the memories impact. Life is so full of these memories.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

You are so right!

[Sami Khalil]

An excellent snapshot into your upbringing, family unit and your outlook on those special holidays.
Very simple, honest and straightforward. You seem to have a very good family; one that makes you proud.
May you all stay connected and loving.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Sami,
You are so kind. Its nice that someone could respond in some way to this narrative of mine. Things did seem simple back then. Not wealthy but we all did our best.
Bless you muchly.
Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! All wonderful. You are welcome muchly.

[Sami Khalil]

"but we are all living and loving.

Nowadays Summer Fourth of July get togethers are our opportunity to see one another- a family reunion my parents host for all that can make it."

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Sami,
My parents have seen many days and now many have gone on and are no longer among us. Family members in the area still try to make it. Will see about next summer. I hope you are well and finding little sparkles of joy.
Bless you Sami!
Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

"Back to Thanksgiving- We had always begun with prayer and just visiting and catching up.

I remember now the blessed whispers of memories which still live in this heart as Grandpa and Grandma Case once danced a waltz while the whole family sang"

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Sami,
It is a song which Dad and mother have sung together. I am thankful for music being a thread woven through my early years.
You have a wonderful gift of giving encouragment.
Now small thing by the way. Smiles to you.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

"Of course we family of seven, Dad and mother and we five kids celebrated together at home with a birthday party for her.



Then at school there was always a Halloween party for all grade school kids towards end of October."

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Sami,
Back then I remember homemade popcorn balls handed out to children trick or treating and at school. Not as many mamas worked back then and it seemed like ladies were home to give and share. Mamas still do what a gift.
Thank you again for your attention to my meager and humble little piece.
Bless you in your life dear writing friend.
Kathy