Wordy Wednesday: Because sometimes pictures don't tell the story

Photo by Elizabeth Knost, My This N That Life

 This is the "old building".  It is the lodge at the Elkhart Conservation Club where our family began meeting 71 years ago.  My grandfather's big Carpatho-Rusyn family has always been close knit.  He and his siblings took great care to raise their families together, sharing in strong traditions, amazing food, and fellowship.  How blessed my father was to be part of a generation brought up with great family bonds.  I am also more blessed than I can begin to express to have been born into this family with the opportunity to know my cousins, great aunts and uncles, 2nd... 3rd... 4th cousins, the list goes on.

Photo by Elizabeth Knost, My This N That Life

 These are 4 of the 5 surviving Billey children.  Aunt Ann, front and center is the oldest of 10 children.  She is surrounded by Aunt Liz, Uncle Steve, and Aunt Vernie.  Aunt Marg was unable to attend this year. These people have committed to loving their family for a life time.  They have brought a heritage to us that I am incredibly thankful for.  I hope that as my children grow, we are able to continue gathering on New Year's Day to celebrate our loving, growing family.  Yesterday we numbered around 90 people celebrating the new year with singing, board games, chatting by the fire, sledding, and eating... and did I mention eating?  Wow - there are some amazing traditional foods that we share!

I wish that every year, all of my family could gather together.  Out of my 16 first cousins, only 5 were able to attend this year.  We had a fantastic time though.  My boys absolutely loved playing in the snow on the "big hill".  I love hearing stories about my grandfather's family as they grew up.  I really enjoyed sitting down with a second cousin and talking about our families.  It is so good to know that even though we live far apart and mostly talk through the internet, we still have a lot in common and hold many of the same values.

What traditions has your family passed down to you?