Caviness Cousin Reunion

My dad's Caviness cousins and their families get together each year 

to share a meal and their memories.

All 3 of my children went with me to take Daddy last Saturday, October 10th

to the 2015 Caviness Cousin Reunion.

It was good to be with everyone!

My dad with 2 of his 5 siblings,

Beth and Linda.

One of the highlights for me this year was something that was read.

My dad's cousin found 3 letters written to Santa Claus 

by my dad and 2 of his siblings.

It was so awesome to hear what my daddy, 

at 8 years old,

asked Santa Claus,

in detail,

to bring him.

And it was great to watch him laugh as he heard it read out loud

almost 66 years after he wrote it! 

My dad's letter.

                                                                               November 27, 1949

Dear Santa Clause,

           I want a paint kit with 6 crayons, and 14 different colored paints, and brush, 2 pans, and pictures to color, attractive carrying case with snap fasteners.  I want a billfold with places for pictures and money. I want candy and nuts. Please remember my brother and sister and bring them something too.

                                                                              With Love,

                                                                                Jimmie

                                                                                Caviness 

My Uncle Ed's letter.

                                                                                                December 2, 1949

Dear Santa Clause,

Please bring me a bulldozer, a wind up train and a paint set. Bring all of us some fruits, nuts and candy. Bring some things for Jimmie and Linda Ruth.

Thank you.

                                                                                                With love,

                                                                                                 Edward Caviness

My Aunt Linda's letter 

(which, we're pretty sure was actually written by my Grandpa Caviness 

since Linda would have only been 3 years old at the time).

                                                                               November 28, 1949

Dear Santa Clause,

            How are you we hope you don’t get sick this Christmas. Please bring me a tricycle, a ball and some nuts & candy, and please be good to all us little children.

                                                                           Love,

                                                                            Linda 

Luke always loves playing with the little ones!

And I love snapping the photos of them!

I will end with my dad and my Wesley.

Sometimes, how tall Wesley is getting still catches me by surprise.

That happened last Saturday when I turned around to leave the reunion.

Wesley was helping my dad get up to leave and the height difference 

between my 74 year old father 

and my 15 year old son caught my eye. 

So, of course, I snapped a couple of photos!

And the thought occurred to me, 

yet again, 

that I have been 

and I am blessed 

with the generations of my family -

those who came before me -

and those who are coming up after me.