You don't choose your family.
They are God's gift to you
as you are to them.
~Desmond Tutu
They are God's gift to you
as you are to them.
~Desmond Tutu
This past Saturday 25 of us attended a family reunion at the home of my mom Maida Shepard in Anacortes, Washington. The weather cooperated beautifully providing us with a sunny, pleasant afternoon. Memories were shared, a delicious meal was enjoyed, laughter rang out, young kids were underfoot, young and old relatives were embraced, news was shared of recent events and loved ones were remembered, under the trees of Fidalgo Island.
We came from Texas, California, Oregon and various locations in Washington. We were named Shepard, Clark, Bell, Kilpatrick and Davis but we shared one spirit of family love.
The picture above shows those who attended the reunion. Thanks to Jerry Clark for this photo. From left to right are Jerry, Preslea, Nathan, Darrell, William, Chenda, Steve, Mary, Cindy, Russ, Steve, Linda, Chris, Jessica, Pam, Rachel, Maida, Barb, Don, Donelle, Janet, Bud, Cindy and Gary.
Logan Update. Not pictured in this lawn photo is Nathan and Chenda's 2 year old Logan A. Shepard who was sleeping off a raucous morning of activity. Logan A. Shepard, by the way, is not to be confused with his cousin Logan J. Shepard, son of Nicole and Patrick Shepard, who was born July 24, but who is still in the hospital with his parents at his bedside. The news brought to the reunion by his grandparents Darrell and Mary was that Logan J. continues to improve as his family remains optimistic and looks forward to taking him home sometime soon.
A Tribute Tattoo. One surprise moment at the reunion was when Steven P. Shepard unveiled an impressive tribute tattoo to his late grandfather Eugene Shepard, who passed away exactly 10 years ago. Steven P. Shepard, by the way, is not to be confused with his uncle Steven D. Shepard, the author of this blog. Steven P. is the one with the bumper sticker on his truck that says "Guess where I am pierced". Steven D. does not have a bumper sticker. Nor a truck. Not even a piercing. (How baby-boomer boring I am.)
Happy Birthday Linda! Tomorrow is the 20th birthday of my niece Linda M. Shepard of Anacortes. Linda M. Shepard, by the way, is not to be confused with my late sister Linda R. Shepard (1950-1971). Happy 20th birthday to Linda, who is the youngest granddaughter of Maida Shepard. The picture above, taken at the reunion, shows Linda with her parents Russ and Pam, and her brother Steven.
Many thanks to those who helped make this a special event (providing food, doing the setup, cooking, etc.) especially my mom, Maida Shepard, at whose home we met. Maida I. Shepard, by the way, is not to be confused with the youngest of her three G granddaughters, P. Maida Shepard.
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Steve Shepard
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