Yesterday When I Was Young

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

my mom...Sylvia

"Yesterday When I Was Young"

My family was fortunate to have another REunion here at the farm on Father's Day weekend. Our father, Voy Rivers, passed away on March 1, 1981--29 years ago--but his memory REmains with us and his life will always be celebrated as long as there is breath in any of us. As I was looking at literally hundreds of photos that were taken over the four days that we had together as a family, to REunite and REminisce, I was touched to REcall the many blessings that the union between my father and my mother has brought to each of us. The greatest of all these are our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

My mother, Sylvia, celebrated her 88th birthday on Friday, July 2. Although her many trials in life have become a broken REcord to us, she none-the-less brings joy and happiness to us on a daily basis. I think you will agree that she looks amazing for her age. She started married life the early age of 15 1/2 and birthed all nine of her children at home!

This week I would like to share a few of the pictures taken during our REunion. I found myself looking into the faces of a few of my siblings via their children and grandchildren, as well as my own. The strong German jaw line, high Choctaw cheekbones, Irish red hair, and the large eyes, strong brow and nose of the French. We've been blessed with two more new additions to the family this year and there are two more in the oven!

Memphis

Jace

Ethan and Amelia

"Yesterday when I was young

The taste of love was sweet as rain upon my tongue;

I teased at life as if it were a foolish game

The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame"

Madison

Maggie and Hayden

"The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned--

I always built to last on weak and shifting sand;

I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day,

And only now I see how the years ran away"

Owen

Boston

"Yesterday when I was young,

So many happy songs were waiting to be sung,

So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me,

And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see"

Parker

Conner

"I ran so fast that time and youth, at last, ran out,

I never stopped to think what life was all about;

And ev'ry conversation I can now recall

Concerned itself with me, and nothing else at all"

Evan

Haiven

"Yesterday the moon was blue,

And ev'ry crazy day brought something new to do,

I used my magic age as if it were a wand,

And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond"

Kaleb

Mya

"The game of love I played with arrogance and pride,

And ev'ry flame I lit too quickly, quickly died;

The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away

And only I am left on stage to end the play"

Josiah

Sylvia

"There are so many songs in me that won't be sung,

I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue;

The time has come for me to pay for yesterday

When I was young"

I will be linking this post up with Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. On Thursday, please grab her button on my sidebar and head on over to class. I'm sure there will be LOTS of "Y" 's in class!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

"Yesterday When I Was Young" sung by Johnny Mathis

photo credits: Voy Gillentine