Carnegie Lake

It was a little lonely at the Nassau Inn this morning.  The first time I had walked through the lobby and didn't see a family member.  I walked down to the lake and saw this glorious setting.

Each of us has many memories from this past weekend, but the one common thought I had heard was how much Grandma would have appreciated this get-together.  She left practically no instructions on what she wanted in the way of a memorial, but I think we all knew her well enough to know that this was pretty much -- even more than -- what she would have wanted and more than she expected.  The biggest reason was that everyone made an effort to be together.  Many thanks are deserved for making this so, especially David.  And thank you all for finding and making the time to come to Princeton.  It ain't easy, especially with everyone's work schedules.

There were a few mistakes.  One, I need to correct here is on the cover of Grandma's oral history.  Her birth year was 1926, not 1923.  That was Pop's birth year.  Oh well.  When you share the book with your own next generation, you'll have to correct that.

There were also many things we do normally when we all get together.  Laugh, tease, exercise, eat, reminisce, chat, argue, laugh, nap, eat, go to movies, shop, laugh, and plan.  Did I mention eat?  or laugh?  We cried a little too, at least I did.

We planned our next get-together, in January for Matthew and Tina's wedding.  Save the date!  

And, we also talked about having an annual get-together on or about July 28 in a different place each year.  We floated the idea of Green Lake Wisconsin next summer.   I'm game; anyone else?

It was special to have extended family with us as well - Mike Kline from Kansas, Debbie and Rod Barnes from Texas, Jane Dean from Connecticut and Georgia, Rell and Hope Dean from Florida and Seattle.  We missed Lur as well, and hope for a speedy recovery.

The Pittsfield Dicksons had a lead-in to the Princeton get-together,celebrating first Annie's 25th birthday and then Mary's 60th birthday.  Annie had flown in on a forgettable flight of 21 hours the week before and then joined us right before Margaret and Andrew arrived by car and Joe by train.  We spent part of Mary's birthday on the lake in a party boat where we were treated to the entertainment of D trying to jump int he water to save us all from drowning.   John and Marilyn joined us s well as Mary's Aunt Mary for a steak dinner!  With homemade ice cream from Margaret and Andrew.

We hope everyone made it back okay.  And, that we all have our own special memories.

Love from back here.