Family Reunion

Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands. 
—Linda Hogan, Dwellings 

It took me two days to get the ofrenda arranged just right, but I was beginning to re-arrange it when my first guests began to arrive for our Halloween Party.

I felt the four of them smiling, looking over my shoulder at their photographs, framed and fresh to this gathering. Since last year’s celebration of All Saints and All Souls, I had inexplicably acquired photos of two sets of great-great-great grandparents. One was a daguerreotype in a stack of stuff my brother brought me, and the other I had found on Ancestrydotcom. The couples had, in life, been best friends; their children had married and they shared the same grandchildren.

I have written about my 3x great-grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Mayne, fairly extensively, but had only alluded to my 3x great-grandparents, Eliza and Orlando Harris, parents of Emma Eliza Inlow Mayne, my 2x great-grandma. If you’ve seen any of my posts relating our visits to the Emory Chapel Cemetery, you couldn’t miss their obelisk headstone. Those visits have served to attract these family members to join in the celebration.

I am so happy to host them, and acknowledge that it is no accident that I found those pictures after 150 years. Their spirits are mingling with other relations that are more familiar to my altar.

Their children, my great-great-grandparents…

More 2x great-grandparents, parents of my beloved “Grandmother” Mayne (who was actually my great-grandmother). Her mother, Analiza, died when Grandmother was six months old and her grandmother, Catherine McWilliams, took a large hand in raising her. Her father’s family, the Kinkades, also were there for her…

It looks like it was a hot day in Richland County, IL when the traveling photographer came by The Kinkade Farm and found the family relaxing in the shade…

I love – and feel the love – of them All…

Let the music and dancing begin! Bring out the food and drinks!

And later tonight, the stories will be told. I will listen and pass them on.

Peace

P.S. Read all about my forefathers and mothers at All my Ancestors. Don’t forget to subscribe or otherwise mark this blog as I will be adding more Family Stories this month!