2014

2014. The New Year has passed with its charmless confetti. The frozen Massachusetts ground, with the green hair of summer browning with the chilled scrape of winter's comb, welcomed half-heartedly the passing snow showers. Christmas, as it were, was teased and tousled with the notion of a white coating. The snow soon melted and aptly fled when the lit tree twinkled in the early morning of the 25th.

I knew the flakes would fall again.

There is great faith that comes with the weather. As a child looks to the night's sky, the flickering stars like candles in the dark windows of their only known home,  I know that the winter's blackened slate held hope and wonder. If you squeeze your eyes tightly enough and the world can transform.

Transform it did.

7 years in the making and the family has reunited. All 12 siblings fell back into the world together, tumbling from their current stations in life and celebrated the holiday together once again. Families forming, new additions and happy children. Laughter and love filled our little country town, the snow  softly skirting the Powell Home, nudging the family back together again.

December 2014
Bottom Row, Left to Right, sitting: Adriana (Mike's wife), Mike holding onto daughter Lily, Sam, Robert, Joseph, Gabe the Dog
Middle Row, Left to Right, sitting: Zachary (Mary's son) on Mama's lap, Papa, Ava (Mike's daughter)
Back Row,  Left to Right, standing: Sarah, Nina, Nell, Bill, Marlena (Bill's wife), Barbara (me), Don (Mary's husband) holding Jaymes (Mary's son), Mary, Brian (Evelyn's husband), Evelyn and Gabrielle.