Four generations gathered together. Scottish blooded kiwis.

Nana, her clan of six children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren.

The only person who wasn’t there was Poppa and he was missed. He’d be proud of his family. As dysfunctional as we all are, there is a huge amount of love to go around.

There was lots of laughter and jokes, squabbling between sisters, kids playing happily, old photographs handed around and giggled at.

Nana turned 80 a few days ago, we had old neighbours from when we all were little. Nana and Poppa lived in a big old house in a small street in a country town. Things back then were simple, family was always close and we all lived in each others pockets. Cousins were all like sisters and brothers, we all spent alot of time at Nana and Poppas house. Looking at all of the photos and hearing all of the stories bought back some very special memories.

There were dramas which is nothing new when it comes to our dysfunctional lot. A cousin having a drama llama moment and sulking at everyone. Hillarious entertainment from ones of the kids. Drunken aunts who were ‘cheap dates’ as they called it, one and a half glasses of wine and the voice levels rose and tipsy as hell including my mother who doesn’t normally drink. Family speeches. Nana punching an aunt in the arm for ‘taking the piss out of her’ and aunts and uncles crying with laughter… Nana wears her shirts tucked into her pants and for a family photo all of her children all tucked their shirts in their pants. Hehe.

It’s been a long three days and I am absolutely shattered but glad I went. The best part is I got to see aunts and uncles who came from overseas and from places far away who were a big part of my life growing up. Distance and time doesn’t sever the good bonds that are there.

Somehow I don’t think there is going to be another time where all of us will be gathered in one place together, it was a special time and one I’ll remember.

Now I just need to sleep and re-engage my brain into functioning again.