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We just returned from an extended weekend with the Watson Clan in Ohio. Our gathering was centered on the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Jack and Mary and the welcoming of baby Mara to the family. All the “Watson Boys” were there and Aunt Ann traveled out too, meeting Ben and Clara for the first time. It started with a ten-hour trek to Columbus in the party van and then was a non-stop time of celebration, recalling memories of the past and making new ones to cherish until we can all be together again.
Highlights for us included:
Meeting and marveling over our six-week old niece, Mara Karinn. It was incredible to have quiet mornings on the porch with Mara in our arms listening to the birdsong and watching the sunrise. Ben and Clara showered her with kisses and we all said deep prayers of thanks and joy for this new season of beauty and hope for Phil and Kaitlin. Oh, and she is one gorgeous, sweet, delicious baby.
Mark preaching at Bethel Presbyterian, the church where Jack served for over thirty years, many in the congregation had known Mark since he was a toddler. To sit in the pew, packed with Watsons, with Clara in his lap and Ben by his side was a blessed, rich experience for Mark. Another trip down memory lane was showing the kids Mark’s childhood home, that Jack and Mary recently sold after forty years.
Appreciating the chance for the cousins to play and bond. Ben was smitten with Abby and loved the attention from Matt, every time we left them it was a series of questions on when he would get to be with them again. Whether it was the Columbus Zoo, an impromptu game of duck, duck, goose, jamming on Matt's guitar or playing in a retro phone booth, the giddy joy of the kids was obvious to all. Clara was often in awe of “Baby Mara” and when Leah told her that it was her special job to watch over and protect her little cousin, Clara’s reply was, “Got it, Mommy.”
The weekend concluded with a final anniversary celebration at a Scottish pub (in true Watson fashion). The long table was filled with three generations of Watson love, faith and family (and some fine Scottish cider, fried pickles, shepherd’s pie and Scotch eggs). The love and laughter of that table was a true testament to fifty years of marriage and all that the union Jack and Mary began long ago created.
Saturday night, the four of us ended up cuddled in the dark on the big bed in our room, a tangle of freshly washed heads, blankies and baby dolls, warm arms and legs overlapping, tired, happy and said prayers. It was a free form list of the things we are thankful for, really it was a list of all the people we were thankful for, the special people that surrounded us this weekend. It was a reminder of the bond and blessing of family, the connection that is shared across the miles, the love, acceptance and memories woven together in good times and bad. It was an echo of the hymn we sang at our wedding, at Mark's installation services, the kid's baptisms and the church service on Sunday, "Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise."
We also experienced the challenges of traveling and a full schedule of celebration with a two and three year old. Overall, the kids were excellent travelers and had a blast. The meltdowns were few and far between, the fun and adventure far outweighed the stress and mountain of laundry upon our return. Ben is a true family man and loved the feeling of community and connection. Clara was pretty overwhelmed by all the new people and places, her constant refrain was something along the lines of, “I want to be at home,” or, “I want Daddy.” A true toddler, minutes upon returning home it switched to, “I like vacation,” and, “I want Mommy.”
It was a truly wonderful, very Watson weekend.
