Happy Mother's Day Tomorrow, May 11, 2013

I believe in love at first sight

because I've been loving my mother

since I opened my eyes.

~author unknown

Hello Family and Friends,

Greetings to all of you from San Diego, where Cindy and I have returned after an extended time away. The last month was a marvelous experience, especially the time we spent in Ireland, where we were privileged to visit the land of our ancestors. It was only the first of what I hope will be several genealogical journeys to a country where our roots go very deep. Select this link to see some pictures of our recent trip.

If nothing else, this trip, and the research I did prior to going, helped me to see that the family we are today reflects more of our Irish heritage that I would have imagined. Which is to say that family history is not just a study of what our ancestors were like. Just as importantly it explains a great deal about who we are today.

Happy Mother's Day this weekend to all mothers in our family! Whoever that special person is in your life who is your mother, or who has been like a mother to you, let them know of your love and gratitude. 

The first picture shows my mother Maida Shepard when she and daughter Barbara (on the right) were here in California for a visit in March of this year. In the back, photobombing, is our son Nathan.

Also in the first picture are his and Chenda's two sons, Logan (upper left) and William Shepard (eating his hat), who is Maida's youngest great grandchild. One of the family members NOT pictured here is Preslea Shepard, whose birthday we were celebrating on this occasion at Fairyland, Oakland, California

Congratulations to Lloyd Gower of Las Vegas, Nevada, who is the son of my cousin Hershell Gower. Lloyd is one of the Ggrandchildren of Leroy and Nola Shannon Gower. 

He and fiance Tammy Turman (see second picture) were married this past Tuesday in Eastern Mississippi, where Tammy lives. Best wishes and much happiness to Lloyd and Tammy!

Happy Birthday today to Nicole Haw Shepard of Bothell Washington! Nicole is the wife of my nephew Patrick Shepard. This weekend of Mother's Day will be a very special one for Nicole who will become a mother with their first baby in just a few short months! Best wishes to Nicole and to Patrick! (see picture)

Happy Birthday also today to Cindy Saunders Shepard of Newcastle, Oklahoma. She is the wife of Dane Shepard and the mother of Nathan and Kaylan. Best wishes to Cindy for a Happy Birthday, and a Happy Mother's Day, all in the same weekend!

Family Reunion This Summer. Are you making your plans for our family reunion this summer? It will be Saturday, August 10, 2013 in Anacortes, Washington at the home of Maida Shepard. All Shepard, Gower, Davis and any other family members or friends are invited to join us.
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Steve Shepard