The first Roustio Family Reunion happened sixty-nine years ago at Grand Maria's State Park East St. Louis , Illinois. I was a ten year old energetic boy who enjoyed sports, games and a bunch of cousins. At that first family reunion, I suppose a DNA connection of approximately 120-to-130 clansfolks ate lunch, played bingo, pitched horseshoes, played cork ball, drank beer and (too much) soda. The highlight for me that year and many subsequent years was the annual softball game between fathers and sons. Some pretty good players took the competition seriously in spite of Grandpa Frank's blurred umpiring vision, which was compromised by several cups of Falstaff Brew. The late June sun was fading when women folks began finding the correct dishes and picnic accessories and headed towards what would be cherished today as vintage-classic cars.
I recall many older people comprising my grandparents' generation and then there was my parents, aunts, uncles and endless cousins. As the years rolled by roles changed, people moved. Even the Roustio Clan that comprised most of 56th street and much of the Village of Washington Park became mobile. All this mobility started eating into the attendance numbers. Today, these sixty-nine years later will find perhaps 55 relatives and fewer kids, especially teenagers who seemingly connect far less to the extended family.
There will be only one meal today, no bingo, no horseshoes or no softball game. Folks will share a story or two of the love ones. The reunion, which once lasted 8-to-10 hours will fizzle after about four hours. The food will be good but wisely the beer will be absent.
Oh, that 10-year old lad once filled with boundless energies? At seventy-nine, he will be one of the elders... grateful for the moment and shared memories.
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