The family reunion

I'm going to my family reunion today, on my Mom's side.  It's the Porteous clan getting together for fun, food and frolicking.  

I'm not really close to my extended family.  We love each other, we see each other on special occasions but it's not like we stay in touch on a regular basis.  But that doesn't mean they're not important to me - they are.

The Porteous clan is a matriarch, headed up by my wonderful, spiritual, amazing grandmother Lucille who we affectionately call Meme.  I have wonderful memories spending time with her when I was a kid.  Getting in the car for the annual road trip to Oakville was one of the most exciting things for me.  We got to stay with Meme!  She had a dog named Lady and best of all she had a pool.  She had a basement full of fun stuff to play with and when we got bored we antagonized my uncle Michael, who was only four years older than me but old enough that it was fun to see him get annoyed.  

My mother comes from a family of eight kids, her being the oldest.  The rest of the family includes uncle Peter, uncle John, uncle Paul, aunt Susan, uncle George, uncle Tommy and uncle Michael.  

Uncle Peter's family was the only one that lived in the same city as us so we become really close.  My cousins Michelle and Jennifer were pretty much the same age as my sister Carla and I and we had many adventures.  We hung out at their cottage in the summer, we spent New Year's Eve together, we played barbies, performed grand productions for our parents.  It was a lot of fun and we have that bond that will never go away.  

I always looked up to my mother's siblings, they all have quick wits and they're very smart.  Most of all they're funny as hell.  I just love sitting around with the group, it's one big laugh fest.  My mom comes alive when she's with them, I see a side of her that just shines.  She laughs and tells funny jokes and seems at her most relaxed state.  

Sadly we've lost a few along the way, uncle Tommy and uncle John are no longer with us.  They both died too young and I think about them every now and then.  

There's a whole bunch of cousins that I barely know - Liane, Michelle, Nancy, Ben, Elyzabeth, Morgan, Ben, Cameron.  And their kids now add to the count - Samantha, Cameron, Jaime, Lily and the newest born which I can't even remember her name - how bad is that?  lol  

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, making that connection again.  The last time we were all together was at my wedding four years ago.  I'll take some pics, have some laughs and create some memories.  

That's what family reunions are all about right?