The Cousins: Then & Now

The Wheeler cousins

Are family reunions still a thing?  When we were growing up, the Wheeler family had a reunion every summer.

The meeting place was the community center in the small town where my parents were raised – Eolia.

Dad and his brothers, James & Paul, had some really great kids!  The cousins became good friends during that time.  We looked forward to the reunions and spending time together.

Dad’s job took us to another state for a little over 10 years, so we only saw each other on our twice a year trips back to Missouri – for the summer reunion and Christmas.

You wouldn’t have known the cousins had been apart.  It may have taken us a minute to warm up, but by the time the day was over, we didn’t want to leave.

Remember Christmases at Grandma Grace’s house?

 

What a great time we had!  I never minded being at the “kids” table with my crazy cousins…

There are 2 more of us not pictured – they weren’t with us yet – Janet, who passed away in 2014 and Lyn .

Here is a picture of us at one of the reunions, 1968:

 

 

 

 

As adults, we haven’t all been together at the same time very much. We recently reconnected when my Uncle James (father to Allan, Rusty and Caye) passed away and we reconnected.  The six of us together again.

There are more pictures in the photo gallery.

Family connections.  Roots.  Solid foundation.  Strong bonds.  People who love me.  Thanks to my family for being part of my history and who I am today.

Love you, Wheeler clan!

— Kim