Larry, Stevie, Dean

My family is like the Brady Bunch.  We are a blended family.  My parents divorced and remarried other people.  With each marriage came extended families.  And as we grew, the extended branches of the tree became one strong trunk.  When I talk about my family, people don't realize that I have step-siblings and half-siblings.  I simply have 6 brothers and 1 sister.  I lovingly refer to us as the Hershberger/Gray gang.  What I also have are some great aunts, uncles, grandparents who come with the package!  

This weekend the gang got together to celebrate my niece Raelene's high school graduation.  It was a fun filled event complete with a water slide, pool, hot tub and great food and drink.  It was also an opportunity for the Hershberger/Gray gang to reconnect again.  Like most families, we have all grown and gone our separate ways and don't get to spend as much time together as we did when we were kids.  So being able to spend the time together on Saturday was a blessing.

One of the greatest blessings of my extended family is Aunt Dixie and Uncle Steve.  They are the coolest couple I know.  Uncle Steve is a jokester, and he always finds a way to tease you.  As kids, we couldn't wait to go the Grandma and Grandpa Gray's house because we always knew Uncle Steve would be there ready to play with us.  He would rough house with us.  He always got yelled at for riling us up.  Then there was Aunt Dixie who would sit down and talk with each of us to find out what was going on in our lives.  She was so easy to talk to and would make you feel like the most important person in the world.

Well, I got to spend time with Aunt Dixie and Uncle Steve on Saturday.  I have to say that nothing has changed.  Uncle Steve is still teasing all of the kids that are around him.  He is happiest when he is making kids giggle and squeal.  Aunt Dixie is still asking questions and finding out everything there is to know about you.  She still makes you feel like the most important person!  We spent the time talking about the old days and recalling one memory after another.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  It was like we had never been apart. 

As we shared our stories, the family slogan came up..'.Larry, Stevie, Dean'.  Grandma Gray had 3 sons... Larry, Stevie, Dean.  When she would get mad at one of the boys, she would get so frustrated that she could never call the right name of the child at the time.  Instead she would just yell, 'Larry, Stevie, Dean'.  When they heard that battle cry, they all three would go running!  The phrase followed the next generation.  When we were kids and in trouble, our moms would just yell Larry, Stevie, Dean and we would go running for the hills.  Just like the ones before us, it meant we were all in trouble.  I'm glad to report that some things haven't changed.  As we were sitting there gossiping, we suddenly heard in the distance someone shout 'Larry, Stevie, Dean'.  My first reaction of course was to run!  Then I looked around and saw the smiles on every one's face. We all started to laugh because we knew that somewhere there were children running for the hills!  It was heart-warming to know that at least one family tradition is still going strong.

Make Every Day Count... 

Larry, Stevie, Dean