Family, fun, and laughter are instrumental to my cherished childhood memories. One of my dearest memories is from a family reunion we had when I was a small child. I remember our pulling into my Aunt Pat's rugged driveway, and the small heart inside my chest was giddy with excitement. We had finally arrived at the long awaited Hawley Family Reunion. With my hands, I lifted my body off of the slippery seat, and peeked over the dashboard to behold the joyful sight. There beneath the lush green trees of summer, I saw my family waving happily. It took no longer than two minutes for my brothers and me to depart from the ancient, yellow Chevrolet Caprice. With mom scurrying behind, we ran to join the fun. My brothers and I were immediately smothered by bear hugs and moist loving kisses. Those were specail hugs and kisses that only came from jubilant aunts and precious grandmothers. They pinched our sun-kissed cheeks and gasped about how much we had grown. Aunt Pat, in her yellow sun-dress and lacey hat, took me up in her arms and ran her decorated fingers through my golden hair. She spoke to me in sweet tones and asked me questions with her eyes full of wonder. My crooked smile must have stretched two sizes larger with every silly question she invited.
In the distance, I heard children laughing and splashing, and instantaneously remembered the
giant, blue pool I have been waiting to swim in all summer. Quickly, I changed into my pink and green floral bathing suit and rushed up the weather-beaten steps of the wood deck. My feet never stopped moving when they reached the top step. The impatience within me was too great to control, and I spang into the cool paradise of the humid day. My thirsty skin soaked up its bountiful moisture and became alive again. Lingering in the pool for hours, I played childish games with my cousins. We played Marco Polo and tossed the colorful, inflated beach ball until our stubby fingers became crinkled.
giant, blue pool I have been waiting to swim in all summer. Quickly, I changed into my pink and green floral bathing suit and rushed up the weather-beaten steps of the wood deck. My feet never stopped moving when they reached the top step. The impatience within me was too great to control, and I spang into the cool paradise of the humid day. My thirsty skin soaked up its bountiful moisture and became alive again. Lingering in the pool for hours, I played childish games with my cousins. We played Marco Polo and tossed the colorful, inflated beach ball until our stubby fingers became crinkled.
After swimming, I changed back into my white t-shirt and my pink overalls. When I walked outside, the aroma of barbecue sauce was so thick that my tummy growled with hunger. I followed the delicious scent and found Uncle Joe grilling juicy hamburgers and plump hotdogs. To me, he looked amusing, standing there with his tiny apron tightly hugging his big, circular belly. When he noticed my presence, he bent down, and with a generous smile, he handed me the first steamy burger. I smiled back with enormous gratitude and hurried to the old, faded picnic table to devour my scrumptious gift. The zesty sauce dripped down onto the palms of my hands, and red ketchup smudged my satisfied face.
Many kids do not see family reunions as treasured memories, but this one holds a special place in my grown-up heart. It was a simple time in my, now hectic, life. Family has always been very important to me, and perhaps that is why I cherish this memory so much. It is a commemoration of my irreplaceable Aunt Pat and Uncle Joe and several other relatives who have passed on. I enjoyed all the excitement, laughter, and fun of that summer day at the Hawley Family Reunion.
