Total Immersion in California Life

Sunday, May 13, 2012, was Mothers' Day. Where for some families this means breakfast in bed for mom, maybe some flowers and presents, in my family it is the time to get up, pack a picnic lunch, blankets, folding lawn-chairs, baseball bats, croquet sets, etc. and head to William Land Park in California. This was the 74th annual Mothers' Day Picnic there. It started with just my grandparents, their children and their spouses, a one year old Dorita and 4 month old me.

There were 53 of us this year - a contingent from each of the four branches of the family: The Roger Bingaman's (my group), the Lloyd Bingaman group, the Hugheses and the Cunninghams. In my group were two of my three children (it's a long way from CT to William Land Park, Pam, so it's OK that you were home at Marvelwood!), and several of my grandchildren. And two of my three great-grandchildren. Here I am with a group of my gang . . . Grandson David, granddaughters Carissa, Lizzy, and CeiliJeanne, great grandchildren Lucas and Topenga. And the red van that used to be mine that I sold to David and MaryBeth last summer.

It was a wonderful experience for me. I sat under those great old trees and wondered if they were the same ones I looked up at when I was three - and ten - and a young mother of three - now an old lady of 74. They look just the same. They no longer have shrubbery growing down below - a sign of the times, perhaps, that we eliminate danger-spots. We park near the playground, within walking distance of the zoo and pony rides and duck pond, but I didn't go walking. I just sat on chairs in various small family groups, catching up on current events, watching, remembering, treasuring the past folded into the present. My 5 year-old great grandson Lucas is seeing what I saw so many years ago - so I loved sharing this with him.

                

My Aunt Louise is the last surviving member of her generation, and still looking good at 95. That's her above visiting with my sister Pat. She stayed all day, didn't miss a beat, sharp as ever. (I didn't have time this visit for a game of Scrabble, but, then, we all know she'd win!)

During the rest of my visit down here this week, I visited the ranch up in Arbuckle, the cemetery in College City, drove by the house we used to own there and where I had expected to live all my life. Another day I drove to Dixon and looked at the school where I began my teaching career. Had lunch one day with an old friend, one-time colleague, and enjoyed sharing memories from the 70's. Everything here speaks to me of my roots. I love crocheting together the various parts of my life.

On my way home now to continue preparations for my six months in Minneapolis. Life continues to supply surprises . . .