Reality Show!

Two beautiful surprises in one day! Our son Benjamin sent us links to memories we hadn't seen in ten years! One was a family Thanksgiving in 2007, and the other our 50th wedding anniversareunion in 2008.  Though he advised watching them on the computer instead of the phone, our ingenious grandson displayed them for our awed enjoyment on the television screen!

Five of our kids' families were with us that Thanksgiving, our having moved back to Oklahoma a few months prior. From Texas, Kansas and far-away Tennessee they came. Old stories and memories poured out as talk flowed freely, reducing us to hilarious laughter, then and now as we watched.

"Let's count the pies," the videographer voiced, and pointed out our desserts filling shelves. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,  8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15!" he intoned, to my gasp as I remembered. The "Vegetarian Turkey" I had made as a centerpiece was there in all its glory of melon body, skewered olive tail feathers, and sweet potato wattles.  Post feast, the heartless young'uns had a great time smashing it!

Besides touring  sights in town, Marland Mansion, Standing Bear, Conoco Museum and freezing ourselves in Cann Gardens, we had to show the kids sites in Blackwell where their parents had grown up.

"Why are we eating at Taco Bell?" our guide, Greg, implored, "Because this is the spot where Grandpa Summers had his store!" Then I heard my 10-year-younger self say, "That's where our carload of teenagers waited until Howard got off work so we could run around!"

Awe and wonder was obvious on the faces of the younger generations when we visited the homeplace where Howard grew up. The door of the vacant house was unlocked, and he got their rapt attention when he said, "That was my brothers' and my bedroom!" Pointing to a space, he said, "Delmar and I slept there and Marvin's bed was  over there!" Nostalgia reigned both in the past and present.

Our kids treated us to a stay in Gaylord-Opryland Resort for our 50th wedding anniversary, and all the families came with our 18 grandchildren! Exploring, sightseeing, visiting and shopping provided entertainment. But the video captured the best memories of all: the huge family dinner at a restaurant reserved for us. Benjamin, (aka Jamie), was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, getting everyone to tell stories of their growing up and of their parents!

Hilarity was the order of the evening, when one memory after another was related about us. Then it was the children's turn to talk about their own parents. Shy at first, as they gained confidence the kids pantomimed scenes and scenarios that reduced us to tears.  And as we viewed the video, we were again laughing and crying at the same time. Thank you, Jamie!