Reminiscing

A bittersweet day. We paid our respects to our cousin George at his funeral. Three travelled down from Shropshire and Derbyshire and we travelled from Kent.

Odd as it may sound we had a good time, we’ve not seen each other face to face for over two years. It was time to renew family bonds and reminisce about old time, our parents and our grandparents.

The last time we saw George’s boys they were still in short trousers! They were both so very interested in their father’s family, knowing just a little about what binds us all together. In the past, I’ve organised “cousins reunions” and they expressed an interest in joining our next get together.

The extra is more for my records. It is this photograph that people are looking at. This treasured photo was taken in November 1958 and represents the Jones family at its maximum size. Grandad and Granny take centre stage with their youngest and last grandchild, my brother, in Granny’s arms. Grandad died in March the following year and Granny in 1961.

They are flanked by six of their seven children (one was killed in action in 1942) with their respective spouses and all 12 cousins surrounding them. Now we are 9. George is the tallest guy at the back. Can you tell which one is me?