Really Good Things for a Family Night

As people will say it is good to spend time with friends and family. With in this page I have tried to lay out a few things that will help you to have a fun and possibly unique time together. I know that people will have a movie night. But how many will read poems and then spend time talking about what they have read. For those who like to eat I have included a couple of recipes that our family always has enjoyed. The movies that are listed are also great entertainment for all ages to enjoy. And lastly there is music that is family orientated and will be enjoyed by all ages. (I know this last one sounds like a circus promo.) Hay that sounds like a great idea as well, take the family to the circus.

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What will he be

when he grows up

How will my decisions

effect her personality

Do I go with a role of the dice

and take my chances

Or do I take the time that is required

and plan every step of their development

How do I guide them

through their lives

How much does one consider assistance

to be interference

How difficult it is

to let them go

But let them go we must

for we have lives of our own

Our friends look on

and don't understand

Never understanding not experiencing

what causes us to go on

Sometimes we want to throw it all away

frustration overcomes us

But this is our creation

and not so easy to discard

PaigSr ©

February 13, 1991

Blackness

Gloominess

the light is out

the hope is missing

no more to shine

upon the earth

Dark

Fading

the light is falling

its losing it will

unwilling to shine

on its own patch of earth

Dim

Flickering

the light is trying

but is unsure of itself

attempting t shine

over any earth it can

Glowing

Beaming

the light flows fourth

confident of its ability

shining through the shadows

over all the earth

PaigSr ©

July 26, 1992

This was one of the first stories that I had ever written.

Family Reunion

A family reunion is the same no matter what part of the world you hail from. It inevitably starts the year before with every one saying, 'See you next year.' as they leave with overtired children and a paper plate full of auntie's salad that no one likes, except auntie. This includes the family dog.

As with any gathering of more than the immediate family preparations begin at least one week in advance. Relatives are contacted, lists are made, and a location is decided upon. The lucky family whose good fortune it is to sponsor this wonderful gala spend the week cleaning, shopping, and trying to find an excuse not to be home on the day that the relatives storm their once quiet sanctuary.

As the hour of convergence approaches the tables are set. A last minute store run is made for that one item for which the day would be ruined without and a cooler full of ice. At exactly t-45 minutes the first guest arrives early. The most obnoxious relatives with the most spoiled children. (You know the ones that come to eat and never bring anything.) The rest of the family shows up at the designated time baring greetings, chairs, and that all important DISH TO PASS. It's a toss up who will show next. Usually it's the aunt who you deliberately tell the gathering will be one hour earlier than it really is so she will only be an hour late. The other choice is the uncle who always says, "I have something better to do" but shows up anyway.

With all the greeting out of the way it inevitably comes down to saying hello to that great aunt with the mole on her cheek. The one that causes young children to have nightmares weeks in advance of the fatal hug and Kiss. This aunt also tends to wear Taboo or some other type of offensive perfume that she splashes on by the barrel. This insuring that whoever drives her that day is properly irritated before they have had a chance to be ticked off by one of their other stupid relations.

Small talk. Mingle, mingle. More small talk. Common points of discussion:

1) Who is going out with who.

2) Who is going to what school.

3) How is life treating you?

4) How goes the soaps?

5) No, no just look natural. Click. Flash, Aw you blinked.

6) Mommy I don't feel so good or Mommy they're picking on me, or I'm Hungry.

7) No don't flush it unless it is very, Very, VERY, VERY, VERY, NECESSARY!!!!!!! We are having Septic problems.

Besides talking and eating, activities are required to keep the young and old alike from running out of things to talk about. The most common of activities is the Frisbee. A handy device that no self respecting person should be without. A lake or swimming pool is a definite plus for activities. (It should be noted that if you are the family that possess the fore mentioned swimming place the odds are that the family reunion will be held at your home. But hey dems da breaks.) Toys for little children are a wonderful source of amusement. Never let it be said that a plain rubber ball or truck can't keep the attention of a 30 to 90 year old.

Pictures and slides. These miniature devices of torture should be banned from any family gathering unless the person asks to see them. (This same person should then submit themselves to a full battery of psychiatric tests.) The unfortunate part of this whole ordeal is that the pictures are the same as last years. The pictures include dead relatives whom you have never heard of taken in places that you never wish to visit.

Amongst all these people there is a small subculture consisting of boy/girl friends, and fiancees These are the unlucky ones who got suckered into going. They have to listen to such things as:

1) How did you meet?

2) Where did you meet?

3) Aren't you just the cutest/handsomest thing.

4) What do you do with yourself?

All these things these people endure all in the name of 'LOVE'. It is amazing that more break-ups don't occur after family reunions. The family get together has been know to cause some unrest in newly weds. With 'If I knew what your family was like' and 'Now I know why you wanted to elope.'

Probably the only ones to make out on this three ring circus are the families dogs. Providing they survive the kids. Traveling from person to person and food dish to food dish. Each person assumes that they are the only one to be feeding Fido. So by the end of the day Fido is so full his normal meal waits for the next day.

Depending of your point of view neighbors are lucky enough or unfortunate enough to live where they do. On the up side of the coin they can be asked to partake in the fun, and food and not be requested to put anything into the days proceeding. But if they turn down your families hospitality they could be in for a long, long day. Little children crying, Excess amounts of dogs barking and relieving themselves upon their lawns. The uncooperative neighbor also has to put up with the noise of the younger generations music. (Definite incentive to take the day and visit the local shopping mall.)

No matter how little they strain their systems someone will inevitably hurt something. In all probability it turns out to be their back. This lucky person is now entitled to A) Lie down away from the rest of the family. And B) Have food brought to him/her. This person can also get away with taking a nap while the rest of the family gets the honor of looking at pictures of dead relatives. If its not the back that goes it will be some child who gets over tired and begins to fall a lot. Thus insuring numerous scrapes and bruise and most of the great aunts attention. This is not recommended of course because of the intimate knowledge that is gained of the hairy mole on her cheek.

As the happy day comes to a close the host family begins to clean up. After all it is their home and they have to live there. The host family makes up a paper plate full of auntie's salad that no one likes, (This includes the family dog.), except auntie. The miscellaneous chairs are sorted out and returned to there designated station wagons. With cars slowly beginning to pull away Good Byes are shouted and 'See you next years.' are heard from wives. Most of the over tired children are asleep on the back seat. Unfortunately for them the great aunt is there too.

With the last taillight fading from view the host family looks over their estate and says, "We'll finish picking up tomorrow.", and "Boy am I glad it didn't rain."

-- PaigSr ©

Another one of those snacks brought to you by my mom. Not sure where she came up with it but it is well worth sharing.

Staying with the family theme these choices are great for a family movie night.