A Family Celebration

9/23/2026

Hello, blog friends....

It was a long drive home, but alas, we are in sunny Arizona after a fun-packed family reunion. The photo below captures some of the family. Trust me, it's complicated herding the crowd for a photo. I'm standing behind the young woman in red. 😊

The photo below captures the original 7 -- sort of. I'm the eldest (at the right), and at the end is my youngest brother. We're ten years apart (yep, Mom was a busy soul.) Next to me in the photo is my niece - her mom (my sister) could not make the trip, and my niece decided we needed a substitute. 😄

We all had a glorious time -- thanks to my sister in the black and white outfit. She arranged everything. I think her long nursing career and her years in academic administration must have helped her deal with our unruly bunch.

This week's TankaTuesday warmed my heart. Eugi asks that we focus on the Harvest Moon. Well....Idyllwild's elevation is about 5,600'. The skies were glorious when we were there. Each day and night were picture perfect. (I think my mom somehow had a chat with the weather gods.) 😊

My poem is a simple one. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a great week, dear friends. ❤️

35 Comments

Dan Antion link

9/24/2026 04:11:48

What a wonderful looking family, Gwen. Getting all of you together had to be a logistical challenge. Your sister did a great job. I'm glad you had good weather and I can only imagine the wonderful conversations you must have had. It's so good to see a little one at the end of that first photo. Life goes on in glorious fashion. You are all blessed. Thanks for sharing this remarkable scene.

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 08:49:59

Thank you so much, Dan. It was a blessing for all, and you are right -- we shared stories and laughed much. My mom and dad did a great job of raising us to be good humans. ❤️

Eugi link

9/24/2026 04:53:39

What a beautiful family, Gwen, and I'm amazed at getting everyone together. You are truly blessed! Your tanka is a beautiful ode to the moon. 💖

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 08:45:30

Thank you, Eugi. Each sibling has a heart of gold -- as do the younger family members. I'm so glad you liked the poem. 😊

Liz Gauffreau link

9/24/2026 06:37:35

Thank you for this uplifting post to start my day! I'm glad you had such a good time with your family.

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 08:44:02

Thank you so much, Liz. It was an experience that will live in our collective hearts for a very long time. ❤️

John howell link

9/24/2026 06:47:02

What a beautiful family, Gwen. You all have a similar smile, which makes the connection obvious. So glad you had a good time.

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 08:43:07

Thanks so much, John. They are all wonderful humans - loving and caring. 😊

Harmony link

9/24/2026 08:20:32

What wonderful family photos, dear sis! And, as ever, your beautiful poetry says so much and always moves me. Thank you for sharing 🤗💖

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 08:41:44

Thank you, dear Harmony. It was a blessing being with sibs and endless nieces and nephews. ❤️

Priscilla Bettis link

9/24/2026 09:02:24

Ah, yes, the moon is quite the queen of the sky. Wonderful poem, Gwen. Thanks for sharing your wonderful family photos!

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 09:37:23

The moon can be so mesmerizing. Thank you for the kind words, Priscilla. It's wonderful to be home, but it was truly blessed to be with family. ❤️

Cara Feral link

9/24/2026 10:09:11

Beautiful photos and family. I especially loved this line of your poem, "darkness fades, but awe remains" Classic!! Much love to you! 💚

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 13:51:30

Oh my, thank you very much, Cara. ❤️

Balroop Singh link

9/24/2026 11:26:42

Wow! beautiful pictures, Gwen and precious treasures for the posterity! Stay blessed.
I love your poem and the last two lines are mesmerizing.

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 13:52:10

Thank you, dear Balroop. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. ❤️

Thomas Wikman link

9/24/2026 15:32:36

That is a great looking big family. Great photos. And the tanka is beautiful. We just had a party and a family reunion ourselves for my father-in-law's 96th birthday.

Gwen M. Plano

9/24/2026 16:06:38

96! How wonderful, Thomas. I'm happy for all of you. Thank you for the kind words. 😊

D.L. Finn

9/24/2026 16:09:11

Wonderful pictures, Gwen! So happy you had a wonderful reunion! I love the poem and making the moon a queen :)

Gwen M. Plano

9/25/2026 10:18:36

Thank you so much, Denise. Hugs... ❤️

Teagan Geneviene link

9/24/2026 16:46:38

Welcome home, Gwen. This is a delight -- thanks for sharing the photos. Your niece had a great idea being the stand-in. :D There's such a strong family resemblance between all of you. Wow. Hugs.

Gwen M. Plano

9/25/2026 10:20:56

Thank you, Teagan. My niece is fun being around -- lots of energy. 😄

Tim Dittmer link

9/24/2026 20:48:31

It's wonderful to see your family in their celebration, Gwen, and your poem is heartwarming. I hope things go well for you. 😍🙏

Gwen M. Plano

9/25/2026 10:21:56

Thank you so much, Tim. ❤️

Tim Dittmer link

9/26/2026 15:55:55

My pleasure, Gwen. 😍

Pete Springer link

9/24/2026 22:38:39

This post makes me happy, Gwen. Great family photos! I think family reunions are so important because they give us a chance to reconnect and remind ourselves of what matters in life. My parents started a Springer Family Reunion tradition every three years. They're no longer living, but we're still going strong. Next summer will be the 12th one. Since each of my three older brothers and I live in different time zones, one of us takes turns planning them. Next summer, we'll be in Colorado.

Gwen M. Plano

9/25/2026 10:25:18

Oh, I'm so happy, Pete. It was a great gathering. We're talking about the next gathering...and the Springer Family Reunion tradition sounds like one we could embrace. Thank you for the idea and share. 😊

Annette Aben

9/25/2026 12:26:48

families uniting... we have not gathered as such in 11 years, and we had a great time! your words to the moon made my heart sing, as it did for your reunion and for mine as well,

Gwen M. Plano

9/30/2026 06:51:30

Thank you so much, Annette. I'm all smiles. ❤️

Selma Martin

9/27/2026 06:44:40

Beautiful tanka. And gorgeous photos. Great family. Xo Thanks Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

9/30/2026 06:52:01

Thank you, Selma. It was a wonderful gathering. ❤️

Melissa F Plano

9/27/2026 16:55:01

What a wonderful reunion! The food was absolutely delicious, and we had such a great time. I’m so glad we were able to be a part of it and meet everyone. Thank you for making us feel so welcome! ❤️

Gwen M. Plano

9/30/2026 06:52:43

Thank you, dear Melissa. You brightened the day and our hearts. ❤️

Paul Cannon link

9/28/2026 08:53:01

I love the hope you share in this.

Gwen M. Plano

9/30/2026 06:53:43

Thank you so much, Paul. We all need more of that virtue these days. 😊

A Family Celebration

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