Vacations: Cousins Reunion.

 
 

The Ramsay Family Reunion Oct 9. 2010, Monticello, Utah
  

Charles Whipple and Bill Close, Sr.
The Date had been set for the Ramsay Cousin Reunion for October 9, 2010 in Monticello, Utah.  This was the first reunion for the family since the 1990's when we had it in Chandler, Arizona.  In 1990 we still had 3 sister and Uncle Clarence alive.  By 2010, Uncle Clarence is the last of the Ramsay family alive.
This was trip that my mom wanted all of us to go on.  Mom had to see the cancer doctor on that Tuesday before we were to leave.  We were hoping that the cancer was gone and for now no more Chemo.  But it was not good news, and my mom told use not to tell anyone.  So we packed up and head to Monticello on October 8.  We got there pretty early, so we checked into our room and headed to Moab to see Gracie Eastin.  We ate dinner there, and that was were my sister family was staying, and them left after a few hours of visiting. 
Clarence Ramsay and Me
We got the next morning, and the plan was to do some exploring and to go out and see the family farm.  My Grandparent, Eva and Jim Hatch had land up here next to Grandma Ramsay's.  Uncle Clarence, the baby of the family, was still farming the land.  Gracie and Charles and Gloria Whipple went with us to show us where my grandparents land was.  We were told that they had planted winter wheat on the land.
 
We also took a trip up the Abajo Mountains next to Monticello.  Because of the time of the year, my mom wanted to see the change in the color of the leaves.  That is one thing that you really do not get to see in the desert. 

Clarence Ramsay telling a Story about his Sisters.
That evening we headed to a local family member home that had a large garage.  There we meet with other family, ate chili and the there was a short program.  Every respective family was introduced so we knew or remember which part of the family they were from.  One of the younger cousin got up and sang some songs.  And Uncle Clarence got up and spoke about his family and sisters.  It was good to see a lot of people that I had not seen since the last reunion.  


I spent most of the time just watching my mom visit with all of her cousins that she grew up with.  I do not think many of them knew that is was the last time they would be together.  But they also did not know she had cancer come back to her lungs.  I do not think she wanted anyone to treat her anything special this day.  It was not about her, and it never ever was. 

We got up the next morning and ate the Continental breakfast that they had there at the hotel, with a bunch of the cousins that were staying there as well.  We loaded up the truck and headed back to Arizona.  But it was some what bitter sweat, because this was the last family vacation.  The last time to see my mom happy around a lot of family members that she really loved.


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