Reasons I love Texas--part 4--Cousins

Culp cousin reunion in Austin last april, me, Sarah Beth Foote, Jerry Clark, Brenda Reed, Bob Foote

I think I'm the only Culp cousin who doesn't live in the Republic of Texas--Good thing I'm a native Texan or they probably wouldn't fellowship me.
We've had several first cousin reunions, and the number attending is shrinking. More reasons I love Texas

Branches, brothers and more

This large and old Spanish oak tree dominates our cousin Brenda Reed's Austin backyard. My brother Jerry and I fittingly posed there. Lots of wrinkles and twists in the aging branches and bark of not just the tree.

Reunion--Cousins 'n more

Terry Clark, Sara Beth Lutrick Foote, Jerry Clark, Brenda Gee Reed and Bob Foote

First cousins--Culps...our fourth reunion in 20 years, was sad and joyful this time for several reasons. The memory  of our cousin Sandi Russell, tragically killed two weeks ago, was on all our minds. But we still shared stories and old photos and good times. 
Since the last reunion, our oldest cousin, Charles Rogers Lutrick, has also passed. And two of our cousins, Lindy and David Culp, couldn't come because their mother, Lamerle, our last surviving parent, fell and broke her hip. Two other of the Gee girls, Charlotte and Carolyn couldn't make it either. But Sandi's children and grandchildren did, as did Carolyn's daughter Gail, and Brenda's daughter Lindsey lives there in Austin with her mother Brenda.  We treasure the moments, aware of mortality, and the joys of being alive and related.
The Culps--Grandparents Ezra Thomas and Sophia Elizabeth Beard Culp. Their children: Vera Pollock--born 1903, Gladys Lutrick--born 1908, Faye Clark--born 1909, Ima Gee--born 1911, J.C. Culp--born 1916, E.T. Culp--born 1918.

Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, Tex

Kissin' cousin

Sandra Gail Gee Russell's funeral was today in Lake Charles. We Culps mourn.
She was as close as I've ever had to a kissing cousin. She arrived with her sister Charlotte and husband at our home in Albuquerque in the late 195os on a road trip, them driving a 1959 white Chevy convertible. 
Sandi and I went out on a date in it, full of teenage hopes and hormones. I was always "Terry Mike" and she was "Sandra Gail," because we all called people by their first and middle names back then. That was mainly because that's what our folks yelled at us when we were in trouble, but it stuck, forever.
This photo was taken by my Dad at one of our summer vacation trips to Silsbee in deep East Texas. There are so many memories. I couldn't make the funeral, but I will toast her royally at our cousin reunion next week, and remember the cute girl with the reddish hair, arched eyebrows, and captivating  laugh, forever.