Poetic Bloomings tradition

Shannon Sisters

Despite both having serious health issues,

Mom and Dad reached their golden anniversary.

Mom, looking lovely, graciously greeted her guests.

Dad didn’t know what the occasion was,

but he was happy to have cake and  ice cream.

Mom died six months later and Dad died

a little over two months after that.

We five girls, scattered from California

to Ohio, made the trek twice to Pennsylvania

for the funerals. Through that experience,

we realized we might never get together again,

unless it was intentional. So we established

our every-other-year Shannon family reunion,

which we’d take turns making arrangements.

We’ve toured Mesa Verde in Colorado,

explored Canyon Lands in Utah,

had an extended family reunion in Pennsylvania,

swam and picnicked at the beach in Lake Erie,

rode pedal cars in Santa Barbara, California,

hiked in South Dakota, and this year, we plan

to watch whales in Friday Harbor, Washington.

As we do the usual touristy stuff and barbeques,  

the traditional bean auction, sister’s night out

hand-crafted gift exchange and games of Canasta,

Scrabble, and Splendor, we keep the bond

tight which Mom and Dad encouraged.

When the twenty-some of us gather,

I think they’re smiling down on us.