Family is More Than Brothers and Sisters

 I love my brothers and sisters, but when I think of family, it is much more.  It was indeed a blessing to grow up in a small community  filled with extended family.  Aunts and uncles and cousins are an important part of my family.  Cousins were playmates and the adults in the family were important role models for me.

 

 I especially loved the times that we would gather as extended family at special times.  There were Thanksgiving dinners and trips to the mountains when we divided up and went with our peers to play and to catch up with those who had moved away.  I tired of the parade down main street each ear, but I never tired of renewing relationships with those who gathered.

It saddens me that our families have scattered and that our relationships have suffered.  Seeing the photographs of those dear to me help me remember how much extended family means to me.

Family at Dad's funeral (Keith Edward Bingham)

Many family members came to be with us at my Dad's funeral. Back row: Kelly, Barry, Doris Faye's husband, Doris Faye, Harold, Gatha, LaRue, Leon and David. Front row: Laraine, Barbara, Sue Ann, Mom (Erma Rae) and Dick. We were so glad to have these wonderful people together.



On March 9, 2008 my father passed away in Belen, New Mexico. My brother, Kelly, directed the construction of a beautiful casket for Dad. It is made of pine and cedar wood. All of my brothers and Sue Ann's husband, Keith, and many grandsons helped to make this beautiful casket. Sue Ann and I lined it. My brothers added Dad's brand. See the BoxK on the lid? In this picture, David, Laraine, Kelly, Mom, Sue Ann, Barry and Dick are standing by the finished casket.



My Dad's siblings came to be with us for the funeral that was held in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Doris Faye's husband, Doris Faye, Harold, Gatha, Barbara, LaRue, Leon and Mom (Erma Rae) are in this picture.