Family Christmas Party

Today my family met at the Mandarin Church of Christ in Jacksonville for our annual Christmas party. Of the possible 78 members of my family, 47 of us were able to make it this year. We laughed, shared good food (Note, If you have not had venison sausage you do not know what you are missing) and recalled old stories about our family. Here are just a few highlights of the day...

• A tip of the hat to Troy and Nancy they were such great host and hostess.
• One of my uncles has written a book.
• More of my cousins are on high blood pressure medication (The curse of being a Tison)
• There seemed to be a few more babies than last year.
• Chatted with sister in law, who is sending her only child to Texas for a new job.
• Collected 6 new jokes for sermons down the road.
• One of my aunt's asked me when I was going to retire, not for a while!
• Everyone had a picture taken with my grandfather, BTW he turned 94 in September.
• We teased the nieces who were brave enough to bring their new boy friends to the family gathering. 
• Granddad passed out gift cards to all the grandchildren 12 and under, been a long time since I got one of those gift cards. 
• My grandfather told me how much he appreciated my post a few months back regarding lessons I learned from my grandfather, He told me he did not know how much those things mattered to me - I will cherish that comment the rest of my life!   

Kathy and I traveled 324 miles to attend our Christmas party today, and I am glad I did, there is something about being with family that warms the heart, thrills the soul and reminds us we are not individuals, but a part of something greater. I am so proud of my family and I am looking forward to next year's gathering. Like the years before it will be a great gathering, BTW, Uncle Robert, be sure to bring the venison sausage!