A Wonderful Family Party

On Saturday night we visited Essex for my cousin George's 18th Birthday Party. I wanted to share what a wonderful evening we had. My Dad is one of 6 and they all have children who many of us now have children ourselves. So you can imagine; our family is huge. 

My Aunty Joyce and uncle Graham had chosen to hold a garden party at home to celebrate George's birthday, the house and garden was packed with family and friends. It was wonderful to spend time with family and have time to chat about where they were all up to in their lives. Yes there was also a bit of reminiscing about the old days when we were children.

It was fantastic to see all our children playing together like we used to when we were that age. It makes me happy that they will one day have fond memories of family parties, like all my many cousins and I do. It was a shame that my lovely brother and his wonderful family, and some cousins for one reason or another, were were not able to come. They were all really missed. But that is the problem with huge families. It is a logistical nightmare getting everyone in one room at the same time.

A defining moment on Saturday night for me was when I spent some time sat with my Nan, she has been a bit poorly lately and this at times has affected her memory.  

Yet as I sat with her asking her about when her and my lovely Granddad met, she remembered it in almost photographic detail, like it was all yesterday. She told me how her Mum, my Great Nan was a wonderful woman but became totally hardened by becoming a war widow, bringing up a family, and running a home, in such hard times. She had not initially liked my Granddad, and he had really had to fight and stand up to her to get her to accept him. 

It was lovely to see her face; it made her so happy to talk about Granddad, and how she met the love of her life. Sadly he is no longer with us. Then she went quiet; nodded her head and said and you know what I am the luckiest woman on earth. If I had not met my Tom none of you would be here today and waved her arm around the room at our huge family. It choked me up at the time and I am a bit tearful writing it now. But thank god my Nan and Granddad were both in that East-End pub at that de-mob party, on that night all those years ago.

I am usually constantly taking photos, but it was one of those evenings that I was so enjoying the moment, I totally forgot. However I did get a photo of Nan and me, as I knew that I wanted to share some of her memories. She was chuffed when I told her I was going to put her picture on my blog bless her. 

It was a wonderful evening; great to spend quality time with people I love. And one last thing I just want to say good morning my beautiful cousin Chloe who reads my blog on the train on the way to work. (I was over the moon when she told me that!) Have a great day at work Chloe xxxx