To the greatest family in the world and also Fran!...(ok, couldn't resist that one!)
I've taken a few days to reflect and let all of last week sink in. There are no amount of words that can describe the feelings that I have about last week. There were so many beautiful moments, laughs, tears, and yes, even some drama, but none of it can ever be replaced. Suzanne, Benjamin, my mom and I had such a great time being with everyone and seeing first hand our truly "living tree" started by Tony and Annie. I know that both of them were so proud seeing us all together and enjoying our connection (even if you weren't with us physically, you were with us!!). I feel so blessed that this happened at this point of my life. It allowed me to really "feel" our family in a way that I never had before. I know that for Benjamin, it was really a special time for him to experience this. The last night, he and I were down on our dock just fishing a little for the last time and talking. He was really depressed about having to leave the next day and said to me "dad, for being an only child, you sure have a big family. They're so great and I love them all". He really did too; from playing with all the little ones at night, to "hanging" with his older ones on the court, to being with the teens till all hours of the night in our basement!! He still hasn't taken the wrist band off from the resort to keep the reminders. I agree with him and his thoughts.
We have had some tough times with our losses and other trials we go through, like any family. Unfortunately, we all know there are more to come for sure. But despite that, it is so comforting to know that we all have each other. Maybe not every day, or every week , and hopefully not as long as another 21 years, but to just "know" it is the real treasure and its so important that our kids, kids, kids, kids etc...know that as well. As Suzanne said that last night, in Benjamin's room we have a plaque that says "home is where your story begins"....well, whether you came to know this home on the Hill, in Swissvale, in Brookline, in Whitehall, in Scott, in Kittanning, in West Palm, In Miami, in Pensacola, in Atlanta, in Louisiana or any other that I missed, its still all of our story and it will surely be there for us and continue to keep going.
I want to thank everyone for all their roles and efforts, especially Krissy GP, in making this a great event. Its amazing when a plan comes together, literally, before your eyes! :)) Also thanks to all of our spouses and extended family for putting up with our "bonding".
Love you all!
Joey, grandchild #12, Brookline
I've taken a few days to reflect and let all of last week sink in. There are no amount of words that can describe the feelings that I have about last week. There were so many beautiful moments, laughs, tears, and yes, even some drama, but none of it can ever be replaced. Suzanne, Benjamin, my mom and I had such a great time being with everyone and seeing first hand our truly "living tree" started by Tony and Annie. I know that both of them were so proud seeing us all together and enjoying our connection (even if you weren't with us physically, you were with us!!). I feel so blessed that this happened at this point of my life. It allowed me to really "feel" our family in a way that I never had before. I know that for Benjamin, it was really a special time for him to experience this. The last night, he and I were down on our dock just fishing a little for the last time and talking. He was really depressed about having to leave the next day and said to me "dad, for being an only child, you sure have a big family. They're so great and I love them all". He really did too; from playing with all the little ones at night, to "hanging" with his older ones on the court, to being with the teens till all hours of the night in our basement!! He still hasn't taken the wrist band off from the resort to keep the reminders. I agree with him and his thoughts.
We have had some tough times with our losses and other trials we go through, like any family. Unfortunately, we all know there are more to come for sure. But despite that, it is so comforting to know that we all have each other. Maybe not every day, or every week , and hopefully not as long as another 21 years, but to just "know" it is the real treasure and its so important that our kids, kids, kids, kids etc...know that as well. As Suzanne said that last night, in Benjamin's room we have a plaque that says "home is where your story begins"....well, whether you came to know this home on the Hill, in Swissvale, in Brookline, in Whitehall, in Scott, in Kittanning, in West Palm, In Miami, in Pensacola, in Atlanta, in Louisiana or any other that I missed, its still all of our story and it will surely be there for us and continue to keep going.
I want to thank everyone for all their roles and efforts, especially Krissy GP, in making this a great event. Its amazing when a plan comes together, literally, before your eyes! :)) Also thanks to all of our spouses and extended family for putting up with our "bonding".
Love you all!
Joey, grandchild #12, Brookline
From Vicki
Joey,
As I sit here wiping the tears from my eyes . . . . thank you for putting into words the emotions we all feel. Although I was the last to commit, I had an equally amazing time and will be the first to commit to the next reunion. I have spent the last two days "researching" lake resorts in Atlanta (Pine Mountain still stands!!) and the Carolinas!!
I am so blessed to live so close to you! I love you.
Vicki
As I sit here wiping the tears from my eyes . . . . thank you for putting into words the emotions we all feel. Although I was the last to commit, I had an equally amazing time and will be the first to commit to the next reunion. I have spent the last two days "researching" lake resorts in Atlanta (Pine Mountain still stands!!) and the Carolinas!!
I am so blessed to live so close to you! I love you.
Vicki
From Dino
Ok I can't take anymore!) I am running out of kleenex. Joey you are the man! You captured the spirit of the weekend to a T, and Vicki you will be first only if you beat me! Love you Kris for being so persistent!! Fran, don't miss the next one! You will be sorry! Bobby Jacob on facebook! Can you believe that. What a reunion!
My staff can repeat every moment of the weekend because in the last 3 days I have done about 30 clients and have told the stories thirty different times. I can't stop thinking about it.
As I said many of times over the weekend. God has truely blessed our beautiful family.
Love to all,
Dino
Dino
From Dennis
Hi Family,
What a week at the lake. I was so refreshed and relaxed when I got home, I found myself wanting to take a nap around 2 PM at work.
When I met Kristina 38 years ago and she invited me for Christmas Eve at her house to meet the family. I feel in love with all of you that very moment. From Gram to Pop, to all the Uncles and Aunts, Cousins young and older. You, guys made me feel at home. I guess that what Benjamin sign means. "Home is were the story begins"
We have history and that is what bonds us all together. God our Father wants to have a relationship with is children just like the one we experience last weekend. Loving one another.
You, guys are the best, and always remember a "family that prays together stays together."
Love Dennis
PS. Joe don't forget about Braddock in the genealogy location.
Again from Joey
yes, Denny, sorry, I did forget that Braddock was created right after Eden....
From Kristina, our fearless, relentless GP!
just awoke this beautiful Friday morning and first thought was it can't be a week ago we were about to say good bye to Chestnut Bay and all of our loving family. The next thought was how did we manage all those meals each night for 50 people??? Another Miracle! Like the Loaves and the the Fishes.
I slowly opened my e-mails and this was my first one! Peter, you have such a beautiful way of expressing your inner thoughts. It really had me almost at tears. Then as I scrolled down a bit and saw Joey's forget about It!!! I lost it. You see I really did have a vision from God and As long as I didn't obsess about it, He would indeed bless it! Oh, you just never can imagine what God in His Majesty can do, if you" Trust in Him".
I really, wasn't even thinking about those looking at us. I guess I"m so a custom to being around great family I never thought about it in that way.
Let's just take this week and Praise our Lord for the mighty blessing He has bestowed on our Family. Remembering always the gift of our Mother's! Sharing our week with others, is way of letting others know that a Family Reunion is more than a vacation it is a healing of love, making our world a better place.
From my joyful heart to yours
Kristina
From Flip:
Lanna and I have enjoyed reading all the emails regarding the family reunion. It truly was a special and memorable event, like a dream. So many of the family, all within walking distance. Time goes by so quickly, it's hard to believe that most of the thirteen grandchildren are now grandparents themselves. Zack said that he had a lot of fun playing with his new cousins, hopefully, he'll be able to do that again in the near future. Reunion week is truly unforgettable for me, the special meals, Aunt Jan's wedding soup and chicken, Petey's fish, Bob's kibbee, of course, delicious pasta and salad and Dino's ravioli. Wait a minute, no ravioli, Dino what happened ?? Well anyway, the morning prayer service, the golfing, the gin games, swimming, terrific memories. We're so fortunate to be part of the Tropea family.
Love to all,
Flip
Flip
From Annette:
Well, I guess that makes me grandchild #13:) Funny, I never really took the time to count! Anyway, now everyone knows why I made it my business to be there, husband or not. Sorry Fran, but I don't think I could have handled being the one taking all of the flack for not showing up!! I love you and missed you:) Pete I do understand the Christmas Eve analogy, to me I felt on Christmas Eve as if a huge security blanket was hovering over me, you know all of these older cousins and aunts and uncles, you all were so big, like one whole unconditional unit of love. Since mom and dad passed I have felt like part of that blanket has been pulled back and that I have been exposed to the harshness of life, kind of scared and alone. But during this reunion I felt warm and cozy and secure again. When I taught my children to pray at night we would bless our parents, grandparents and all our Aunts, Uncles and cousins, especially those who have special needs at the moment like... So little did you all know you have all been prayed for always. Yes, you are all under one big blanket, because we are blessed to have so many ( my husbands side is big too)! Well, now I can say I know what my heaven will feel like, being under a nice warm cozy blanket with all of you there. I know, spoken like the true baby, simple but true:) Thanks for being my family!!! Felicia, I know what your thinking Babyidious!!!
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