The picture above was taken around 1995. From right to left we are … Becky, Shelley (with son Josh) McKenzie, Mikellah, and me. Since this picture was taken, all of the girls have children of their own and Shelley has added two more sons to her brood of three boys. Sadly, and it makes me tear up to write this, my cousin Becky, the mother of these three darling young women died suddenly last year of a heart attack.
I’m up early getting ready for my drive up to the North Georgia Mountains where I’ll reunite with my cousins at the One-Shot cabin. Since the cabin is up for sale, it will probably be the last time I’ll have a chance to be in the space that has such personal meaning and memories for each of us.
I’ve been looking forward to this reunion for quite some time. It has been years since I’ve seen the girls and I’ve not had a chance to meet their children yet with the exception of Josh. Life gets in the way of families getting together sometimes and you always think there will be more time. Maybe next year we tell ourselves and the years just pass us by. The last time I spoke with Becky I remember exactly where I was sitting and what we said. We both thought at our age that we had all the time in the world. Her early death last year reinforced how we may not always get another chance.
While I’m home for the Thanksgiving holiday with my family and friends, I’m taking time this time, to see Becky’s girls and grandchildren making good on that promise I made a few years ago to get up to the cabin again.
Even though the two women I associate most with the One-Shot cabin will be missing in body today, I feel sure that the echo of their distinctive voices will somehow be present. Both my great aunt Wylly, who named the cabin and infused it with her energy and her grandaughter, my cousin Becky, who raised her family there and called it home had the kind of voice you would never forget. I don’t even have to close my eyes to hear them now. I have a feeling I’ll be hearing them again today. Whether it’s a whisper of the past calling out from a corner of the cabin, or in the voices and expressions of Shelley, Mikellah and McKenzie, I think I’ll have that moment together with them all, for one last time at the One-Shot cabin.
Rebecca Anne St. John & Wylly Folk St. John
July 4, 1972
Thank you, Elizabeth. Have a warm, wonderful time at this lovely place. I may be making different choices for my Thanksgiving.
Elizabeth! What a powerful story today. Makes me more willing to forgive and maybe even a little more excited to see my family over the holidays. Makes me think I’ll breathe a little more deeply and enjoy these moments instead of trying to hurry them up so I can get OUT! Thanks for the heads up. Hope you enjoy One-Shot. Great photos.
That is beautiful, E. yes, life does tend to “get in the way” of many things. I am learning to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, lest i live with the regrets of not having done so.
happy thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving indeed for such dear memories, even the bittersweet. Thank you for sharing and I pray your reunion is a blessed comfort.
Have a wonderful time my friend 🙂
Thanks for reminding us (to count our blessings, to appreciate those we love). I’m so happy you’ll be home and see your cousins and all your family!!
A very warming story, I hope you have a very happy reunion…with lots of love too!! take care and enjoy.
I’m so glad you get to go one more time to your special place and I know you will carry those who are not with you in your heart forever. How dear are those memories. Thank you for sharing this moving post with us.
have a nice time up there at the cabin -reuniting with family. this story is heart warming and is a needed reminder that we should take the time to be with those we love every chance we get.
Hope you have a wonderful time at the One-Shot cabin.
Enjoy this special time, Elizabeth! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Season!