Sunday, May 24

The Hershey’s are my family – my siblings and their families.

This used to be our Easter dinner, but because there are so many people – 97 if everyone came – Cerwin and I organize this meal in May, hoping the weather will be nice so we can be outside.

We were expecting about seventy people.

I set the tables the day before, and had seats for sixty. The rest would have to sit on lawn chairs in the yard.

Everyone brings food, so we only have to provide the place, meat and drink.

The first thing we did on Sunday was sing happy birthday to our step-mother who turned ninety-one the day before. The other three also had birthdays within a few days of the dinner. Jared was 11, Molly would soon be 7, and Lindsey was turning 5. Somehow we missed including Elliot whose 2nd birthday was also that week.

The beautiful cake was designed by Steve (my brother) and Brenda’s daughter, Kate.

Time to eat.

This group chose to eat outside since we mentioned that a few people would have to use lawn chairs.

Nate chose the patio chair.

Our daughter Deb loves to organize the egg hunt which is a highlight for the children.

The older children distribute the eggs in the yard and hide a few that are more difficult to find.

She puts a variety of candy and prize notes in the eggs.

Everyone was told to find ten eggs.

The really little ones aren’t sure what is going on, but their daddy or momma helps them.

When everyone has ten eggs, they bring them to Deb and claim their prizes.

The eggs are put in a large plastic box for next year and the children keep their candy and prizes.

It looks like Jesse got a kite.

He and his brothers went out in the field – away from electric and telephone wires – to fly it.

The weather was perfect.

The conversation was fun.

What an interesting bunch of people.

It made me miss Daddy and Mother. They would be amazed at their very large family.

• Mom died at age 52 when there were only about a dozen of us.
• Daddy died at age 77. There were a lot more by then, but that was 18 years ago – so he never met or knew anyone who is 18 years old and under, or those who married into our family since then.

What a fun day.

I love my family.