Family

Several months ago, a few of my cousins and I came to the realization that our Memaw is not getting any younger and it was time for us to attempt to get the cousins together for a reunion.  As we began to talk about dates and plan a weekend, it developed into more.  Thanks to cooperation from our spouses and parents, we were able to get almost the entire family to Virginia Beach for a weekend.  The only person who could not make it was Cory, my cousin's son who is serving in the Air Force.  So we had my Memaw's three children, their spouses, seven grandchildren, their spouses/girlfriend, and eighteen great-grandchildren.  In typical Goodfellow fashion, there were also some extras.  It was a great time together. 

A few of us got together at the beach on Thursday, but  Friday officially began our weekend as we celebrated our two graduates.  Saturday morning we had  brunch with Memaw and just the seven grandchildren.  The rest of Saturday was spent eating, chatting, and watching our children get to know each other.  Sunday morning we all went to church with Memaw.  Most of the grandchildren sang, my brother and his girls sang for the offertory, and Danny preached.  Afterward we took lots of pictures.

Memaw with her three children:  My dad (Tommy), Jane, and Sandy

Then we added the spouses:  my mom (Sue), Ralph, and Dari

Next came the grandchildren:  Gary, me, Valerie, Jill, Debra, Kelly, and Adam

Then we added our spouses:  Danny, Melissa, Jeff, Sean, Jay, and Barry

The great-grandchildren, ranging in age from 2-21:  (back to front, left to right) Kylie, Jacob, Summer, Autumn, Sophia, Keifer, Kayla, Zachery, TJ, Madison, Joshua, Samantha, Madeline, Kristen, Jessica, Lola, Jonathan, and Isabella

The Goodfellow clan (minus Cory)

It was so much fun to spend the weekend together, but a highlight for me was my Memaw sharing her heart with everyone on Sunday night before everyone went their separate ways.  She reminded us of the importance of serving the Lord.  She told us how proud of us she was and how much she wanted each of us to follow after God.  Even though she would love to have all of us close, she would not want us to be outside of where God wants us to be.  It reminded me all over again of how blessed I am to have such a godly heritage and to have a grandmother who prays for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  My Memaw has always had a love for others, has opened her home to many, has taught scores of children in Sunday School, has planned many meals for families who have lost loved ones, and has cheered on her family as they follow God's plan for their lives.  She is one of my heroes, and I could not have asked for a more precious heritage.