Saturday, July 16, 2011

Family Barbeques

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Monk

Past summertime family gatherings are fondly remembered, not just for the barbequed hotdogs and hamburgers, the potato salad, and the deviled eggs that constituted summer cuisine, but also for the squeals of kids running barefoot through the grass, fathers and uncles standing around the charcoal talking about cars and fish, mothers and aunts sitting in a circle of lawn chairs, some with little ones cradled in their arms, sharing tales of joy and worry. As I looked around the family gathering today, I could take comfort in the familiar as little has changed but that another generation has been added and it's not me running barefoot under the sprinkler squealing as the cold water trickles down my back. I really should try that again. ;-)

1 comment:

  1. Such a great picture of Will. You definitely caught a great smile from him. It was truly a wonderful afternoon for family.

    ReplyDelete