Rita flew into Watertown from a visit with her other son in Seattle on July 20th and was met by Janice Bienn (my Mom's cousin). It was kind of funny on the first day that Rita arrived. She called Mom that afternoon, who was sitting by the phone and answering all calls quickly in the hopes it would be her. When she did call, they talked for only a few minutes and Mom came right over to me and told me she would like to go up to Watertown right away in the morning on Thursday. She thought she "had" to work at the gift shop in the afternoon so we had to get back by noon. Dad and I knew she could get the time off if she asked for it, but we didn't say anything. Anyway, Janice told me later that Mom must not have said anything to Rita, because she sounded so disappointed after that first call and though Mom wasn't going to come to Watertown at all. Anyway, the next morning, we got it all figured out and they ended up spending the whole day together. Our visit with Jack and Jenkins that day went very well. We got him downstairs in a little room with a fireplace next to the cafeteria. He was in a very chatty mood and told stories about his first dates with his wife and how he didn't get home until 5 in the morning and had to play cards with her dad, and about his favorite nurses. He and Rita went back and forth a bit about some things, and I got the feeling that those two have always 'argued' like that. It was nothing major and kind of funny because both Jack and Rita are hard of hearing, so Mom would have to do a bit of translating, which made everyone chuckle a little.
I took Mom and Rita to a nice little bakery/sandwich shop just up the street and then we drove to Arlington. When Rita came to the gift shop (where Mom works a few afternoons a week) and Mom introduced her to the manager, Donna immediately told Mom to close up the store and go home and visit - Rita's visit was much more important that sitting all afternoon in a 'junk' shop! So they talked all afternoon, kind of quietly, while I was fixing a quick supper for everyone. I think they were going over all their kids' lives and troubles and successes, which is what usually happens when they get together; and can take quite some time with 16 children and their visits few and far between. Janice came down after work to pick up Rita and ended up staying until 8 that evening. Mom was pretty tired that night.
Marguerite Manley - George Fleming & son Sam - Rita Fleming
Friday morning we got up and Mom was starting to make a potato salad by 6 AM. We planned on waiting for my brother Mike to arrive from Rapid City and then drive up to Janice's place in Watertown. I made a fruit pizza also. Mike got here right at noon and Mom was ready to go right away. But we didn't get on the road until about 1 pm. That afternoon was really nice.
George and Bonnie seemed to be enthusiastic about meeting everyone and seeing all the places around Watertown that were special to Mom and Rita. George has been doing a bunch of genealogy research so he took down a lot of names and dates of our family. He has access to some DNA databases and even thinks he can match up some of ours to someone in Ireland. I tend to think it is a long shot, but was interesting to hear him talk about it. I thought Jack did really well that day and Saturday. He arrived around 3:30 and stayed until 7. He was telling stories with Arbie (an old neighbor from the farm) and laughing. The only thing I heard him complain about was the catheter, which is understandable.
Mike- Marguerite-Janice with granddaughter Paige & daughter Stephanie
Uncle Jack eating lunch with Arbie and listening to a story of Mike's with Mom
A very proud grandmother Janice with Paige - Janice couldn't have been more welcoming and just the best kind of hostess for this little reunion. I really enjoyed reminiscing about all the old times our families got together for holidays and special occasions. Her and I feel much the same about the importance of family get-togethers while we are still able.
Bonnie and Sam look pretty serious about eating that lunch!
Marguerite - Jack - Rita
Jack telling a story to his daughter Peggy, Bonnie, Rita & George Fleming
Stephanie showing the two youngest - Paige & Sam - how to share toys. I found it hard to believe how much Stephanie has changed into a great young Mom - I think the last time I saw her was over 30 years ago when I used to babysit her - and now she is a Mom herself.
Sam had a great time playing with his toys on the old marble coffee table.
These are 3 of Marilyn Peterson's grandchildren - they live in Watertown. Her son runs the local bike shop - hence the cute helmet! They were quite a lively bunch.
I really enjoyed talking with Melinda and her daughter Molly and hearing all about their time in England. George told us that he and Bonnie were excited to hear the good news about the decision to build this huge lab in the old Homestake Gold mine in Lead SD - I guess Bonnie's research had a project or experiment that would be perfect for that lab and they wanted to know all they could about the Black Hills area. After we got everyone back to Jenkins and most everyone left, we were getting ready to leave when Peg & Ray came back with a couple bottles of champagne! I was surprised that Mom wanted to stay and have a glass to toast Janice and also the O'Toole family. It was really nice. She slept in the car all the way home though!
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