Sometime in 2021, or maybe it was even near the end of 2020, my cousin Suzy and I started talking about having a reunion of the cousins in Safford, Arizona. And so it came to pass in April, 2022, we did get together. And it was awesome!
About a lifetime and a half ago, my dad took me to the Eden cemetery, my first real introduction to our family history in eastern Arizona. It still looks about the same all these years later, but now I recognize names on the gravestones and pay my respects to my ancestors and cousins. And while I’m there, I can look at those mountains in the background and know that Morenci is up there, the town where my dad spent a lot of his growing up years.
When we were all gathered on Saturday for songs (thanks, Steve!), trivia questions (thanks, JudyK!), and lunch (thanks, Carole and Bob!), we managed to get a few photos of the clan members. Thanks to one of the next-generation cousins who climbed up onto a picnic table to get all of us in one shot.
The next day, we went out to the farm where my great-grandparents lived (and great-grandfather died), right on the state line where Arizona meets New Mexico. There’s a fancier, bigger house that people there live in now, but the old farmhouse is still standing. I remember the owners letting my Dad walk through it and he pointed out what had been added on since he ran across those floors as a kid.
Here’s a photo of the old farmhouse as it was originally, probably pretty close to the way my dad remembered it. This visit, two of my oldest cousins were so excited to see the house they remembered, walking around it and sharing stories. Can’t get much better than that at a family reunion, honestly.
All too soon, it was time for us to say our goodbyes. The love and kinship, though, will last the rest of our lives. Thanks to all my cousins and family for coming to Safford for a weekend we’ll always remember.
Remember, as far as anyone knows, we’re a nice, normal family.
Homer Simpson
Thanks for sharing your family reunion. Of course that would be #1 on the list. Family. Roots. Knowing where you come from says a lot about where you go in life. It’s good to remember who got us where we are now.
Family reunions can be the best! Glad yours was, beautiful place to be from.
“Family-like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.”
Love you cousin! ♥️
Thank you for that beautiful quotation, my sweet cousin!
Hi Annie, Such nice photos, and a great place for family roots! Craig Janes and I, with our yellow lab Zeke, altoed over to that part of Arizona, south and southwest of Safford, a couple of years ago, on a trip originating from our home in Ontario. Both the flatlands and the “sky islands” were gorgeous. We camped up Cave Creek Canyon, a biodiversity hotspot known for great birding and its remarkable landscapes. It was gorgeous in a chilly week in early March. In springtime when the unique ecosystem catches a lot of moisture, it would be a paradise. I imagine that the Pinaleño Mountains (Mount Graham), closer to Safford, would be similar. Since you’re a perennial, noteworthy member of the Have Alto Will Travel community, I’ll also mention the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area west of there (what’s another couple hours’ drive?), not far from the Mexican border. We took a memorable walk along the river near San Pedro House, between Sierra Vista and Bisbee. It’s remote and special, with a fine hiking trail through high cottonwood trees and long views of dry grassland.