Mid-September, Mom and I were talking on the phone and I mentioned a meeting I had the second Saturday in October. She informed me that the Hughes reunion was that day and she really would like for me to be there- after some huffing and puffing on my part (shocking, I know), I agreed. I cannot remember the last time I went to a Hughes reunion- I would say it has been at least 10 years.
My grandmother's mother's family (the Hughes family) gathered for the 32nd time, October 12 in Henderson, North Carolina at City Street United Methodist Church. My grandmother's mother (Mary Ella, aka Ma Ayscue) was the oldest of nine children. The responsibility of planning the reunion each year shifts from one child's family to the next- this year's reunion was planned by Ma Ayscue's family. Ma Ayscue had 5 children (3 girls, 2 boys) and 2 of her children are still living-my Aunt Dot (who I call The Dot) and my grandmother, GrandBecky. Their girls, Mary Jo and Mary Linda, took charge of planning the gathering- they did a mighty fine job!
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The sweet cousins who planned the 2013 reunion-
Mary Jo and my mom! |
I think I should back track a little. A little review of the past year. My sweet Grandmother has had a tough road to hoe as far as her health- if it could go wrong, it did go wrong. But she has pulled through- by the grace of God. She's had pneumonia more times than I can count since last October- I think 4 maybe 5 times.
The last time that my grandmother saw her sister, the Dot, was in late January at Dot's husband's funeral. As we walked into the reunion, Dot met my grandmother at the door. Dot put her arms around 'her baby sister' for what seemed like forever. She kept saying 'oh my baby sister'. I looked over at 'my baby sister' and we both had tears in our eyes. This was a moment that earlier in the year, we weren't sure would happen again. We didn't know if the sisters would have the opportunity to have time together again- but they did. There was such a sweetness to it. I wish I had thought to take a picture of their embrace.
the Dot and GrandBecky
How do people make it through life without a sister?
~Sara Corpening
Before the meal began, there was a short program. A time to remember family members that have gone to the Church Triumphant since the previous year's gathering. One of those we honored was sweet Uncle Joe- the Dot's husband. I know they were married a long time- I think close to 70 years (just a few years shy). Mary Jo shared that Uncle Joe died a week after their last anniversary. When Uncle Joe's name was shared and the candle lit, I looked over at the Dot and could see she was visibly upset. My GrandBecky was sitting next to her- a woman who has outlived two wonderful husbands- and knows the pain of losing a man she loves. My grandmother, in her true fashion, gracefully placed her hand on her sister's hand and simply held it. One of those moments- one of those sister moments.
The two sat side by side throughout the entire reunion. They spoke few words because they both suffer from extreme hearing loss, but they simply enjoyed being in the others presence.
Sisters don't need words. They have a perfected language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks- expressions of shocked surprise and increduilty and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs- that can undermine any tale you're telling.
~Pam Brown
As the time came for us to leave, the Dot came on the porch to bid my grandmother farewell. She hugged her again and said "I love you my baby sister". My grandmother's response tickled me- she said "I love you my little older sister".
I'm thankful for the time that my grandmother had with her sister. I'm thankful that I was able to witness those moments.
To my baby sister, Annie Hughes, I hope you know how much I love you and treasure you. I look forward to the journey of growing old with you, my sweetest friend.
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Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.
-Unknown |
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