I drove down to Hemingway the first Sunday in October to attend the Tanner Reunion one more time. Not for the last time, I hope, but there were only about 25 people there. Although I had taken my camera, I decided not to take any photos, choosing to spend my time talking with people instead. I did take the roll, although I didn't take any minutes.
Mae talked about the family heritage of faith, especially the faith of her parents, similar to the devotion she gave at last year's reunion. Several other people added stories about their own families and faith.
Sam and Bryan were there, Olivia was not. Neither were Dale and Jonathan. Neither were a host of other Tanner relatives of Tim's - but the ones who did come seemed to enjoy being there and the food was good as usual. Mae and Paul were there, despite the fact that their health is not great and driving so far is a strain on them these days. They had driven down a day or two earlier and stayed at the farm.
The place was okay, not great but okay. It was held at the VFW building just outside of town, like last year. There's no place for kids to play, very little yard and what there is has mostly weeds, no grass much. It's also very close to the highway and therefore not really safe for children.
But it was available and has enough space, tables, chairs, and kitchen. The people in attendance discussed several options: suspending any further reunions, moving the place, or moving the date. Those present agreed to leave things as is for another year, same place, same day and date. I thought attendance might be better on a Saturday, but I didn't vote one way or the other.
Anyway, it was good to see people and talk for an hour or two, particularly Sam and Bryan. We sat together for lunch and talked a few minutes about Angie - they don't see her very often at all, even though she is living in the beach house. I hope that situation will improve somehow and she'll become closer to them again one day. It's been a year since I've spoken to her (her choice, not mine) and I really miss her.
I'm glad I went and I'm glad they decided not to stop with the reunions. Betty and Harold plan to have the usual family get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving and it will be down at the farm unless Bryan and Sam decide to host it at McClellanville, which they mentioned doing. I've never been to their house there - it was still under construction when T.C. and Ora Lee died, and that's where they go now for family dinners, etc. I'd like to see it, although that's a pretty long way for me to drive, there and back, for one meal. We'll see.
