Sad Times...wonderful memories part 2

Kenyon family July 4 picnic 1976 with Great Grandma Etta Kenyon. All the great grandchildren are pictured except for Kyle who was born about 2 years later.  I'm in the bottom right hand corner behind the bush.  Al's children Mark (oldest boy in back row) and daughter Robbie (girl with red pants next to my then baby brother Jason) were there too.
Not only has my home church lost a dear friend, our family has lost a dear cousin.  Alan died on 2/22.  He had been sick with heart problems the past few months and was getting tested for another possible illness last Wednesday when he had complications. As I remember Al, I think of the many special family times we had as I was growing up.   Memories of him of course date back a lot farther back for my mom. 
For many many years into my young childhood, my mom's family got together many times a year for picnics and holiday dinners.  Alan and his family attended many of these special events.  The above picture is of one of the July 4 picnic my Great Grandma hosted.  I was 6 years old.  Jeremy was 4 and Jason was just 6 months (he's the baby on the left that Grandma is holding).  In later years, Grandma K. usually hosted the Labor day picnics and either my mom or my Grandparents (who lived across the street) hosted the July 4 picnic.
I remember looking forward to these picnics to see all my cousins.  Many years we played croquet or just sat and talked.  Those were such special memories.
The last time I saw Alan and his wife Teresa, was 10 years ago this May when they came up from TN to attend my Grandpa's graveside service/burial.  They came up about a year or two ago to visit, but I was not able to connect with them. I wish I could have.
In addition to my Grandpa many of mom's family have died.  Grandma Kenyon (Grandma's mom) has been gone for almost 20 years. She lived until the great age of 95.   My Grandma and her brothers have died also.  Now Alan has joined his family who have gone before him. My Grandma's sister, Betty is still alive and is 87 years old. 
I really still do miss our family time together.  We're all scattered mostly in NY and PA.  Aunt Betty has 3 kids out west.  I'm so glad for the time we had together and the wonderful memories we had.  

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