Just Sewin and Crafting

So, every year there is the Shoemaker Family Reunion, held on the first full weekend in August, in honor of my great grandfather's birthday. All the family that is able, congregate at the farm for what is "supposed" to be a one day reunion. I will tell you that for most of the family it is a three day reunion and for others it is a whole week! I've only been to this reunion twice in my whole life, having been raised in Virginia.

Most of the Original Grand children
(My mother is 4th from left back row)

My second family reunion was August 2010. My Mama died that year and we were taking her ashes to be buried in New Mexico. And I have to tell you, the experience of love at that farm is something that I absolutely crave and must have again before I die. It is amazing to go to a farm, out in the middle of nowhere, dry Texas, and find about 150 people, numerous dogs and tons of little children running around, hugging, laughing, crying, and just enjoying each other! The people who go every year, bring their campers or tents, shower under a water hose in the back yard and let the little children play in the mud! Everybody knows everybody's name and those they can't remember are just called "cuz". They even know which dog belongs to who and the dogs name! I call that LOVE!