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Date Posted: Sat, May 12 2007, 15:59:39
Author: Nancy
Subject: And would you believe? No. 10 and final. CLICK HERE to read it,. And within a week or so it will be on Grantvogel.com with his other travel stories.
In reply to: Nancy 's message, "Part 9 (click here.) (Almost done, folks.)" on Sat, May 12 2007, 15:43:25


Jack Hamm (Martin’s son-in-law): I was disappointed not to see more of the second and third generation here. I had met most of Dad’s brothers and sisters. Lefty and Harry did a super job of coordination. I don’t know if they should have also had the responsibility of meals and food. I felt that after a short time everybody sort of blended together. The ones it’s hardest for are those who don’t know anyone. I have seen a good blend of personalities here. Some of the people are living in a closet and don’t want to bring their feelings out, and I’ve seen others open up. I think a lot of the family traditions, ones it was assumed would go on forever, are going to disappear; people will be more open with each other in the future, The Vogels don’t keep their sons and daughters informed enough. Shirl learned so much at this reunion that she hadn’t known before. Even heard about some cousins that she hadn’t known existed. But the younger generation here is obviously able to communicate openly. I think there ought to be more reunions, getting the younger people involved, so they will carry it on--or eventually the family will spread out and many of the family members will be strangers to each other.

Tobin Hamm, 11: It’s been pretty fun, meeting people and playing, and everybody’s been so nice. I expected more people. Some of my friends have gone to reunions, and the pictures they show afterward have a hundred people.

Connie Uchima (Trudy’s daughter): The best thing about the reunion happened last night when Shirl brought out that each of the cousins thought we were the worst of the family. Now we’ve discovered we are so much alike. I have many emotions about this reunion, I’m not sure what they all are. One thing I know, I’ve always wanted to be like Aunt Dena; I’ve always seen her as the happiest one of all. The big surprise, though, was to learn that I haven’t been the worst person. I thought I was the one they all laughed about and talked about, because I was so terrible. I guess our parents would like us to be quiet about all this, but we need to talk about it. They were raised differently; they don’t talk about things that were done wrong; they keep secrets--and that gives a false pedestal image. one which is impossible to live up to. I think this reunion is the most wonderful thing that this family has ever done. Already I wish we could plan another with at least a year’s notice so everybody could come.

Vernon Fletcher (Trudy’s husband): This has been tremendous. Trudy talks about the Vogels so much that I almost feel that I know all of them. And Lefty and Harry do so much for us, they readily volunteer to do things I’m not quite up to doing--and this has probably helped keep me out of the hospital. I think it’s impressive that this many can get together for a reunion without any more sorrows and in good health. I haven’t met a one that I didn’t like, including the in-laws, yet each has gone a different path in life, and no two are alike,

Personally, I shared the emotions of all three groups--the general satisfaction of the Vogels, the fond but exasperated consensus among the in-laws; the preference for honesty voiced by the cousins. It was interesting, and a privilege, to interview each person, and I hope I haven’t misquoted anyone. And for me, the greatest delight was the degree of rapport I felt with the cousins.
Nancy
(Grant's wife)

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