Reunion

Today I headed down to Kentwood, Louisiana for the annual "Blades" family reunion. My mother's mother was a Blades and she had a boatload of brothers and sisters. At one time my mother had 51 first cousins.

My grandmother used to take me down to Kentwood in the summertime when I was a child. We stayed with my favorite great aunt, Emma Lee and I had cousins in abundance to play with. This city gal got to see what country life was like, helping herd cows from one pasture to another, picking butterbeans, and fishing in one of the many ponds.

It is a rare treat to return to Kentwood and talk with the people who remembered my mama. Pretty and vivacious, this only child would come from Mississippi and enjoy the companionship of her many cousins. From what I have been told, she was quite the ringleader of a number of escapades. I am told I favor her in looks and personality. I consider that an honor.

So, when I get that invitation next year, I will do my best to go back to Kentwood.

And my family.