by Patti M.
Member since:
May 11, 2007

And Then There Were Seven

August 16, 2007 03:34 PM EDT
views: 77 | rating: 10/10 (20 votes) | comments: 30

My mother is the eleventh of thirteen children.  My Grandma and Grandpa were German through and through.  Linenberger was the family name.  I had as many moms and dads as I could stand.  Uncle Victor use to say if you don't turn out Ok,it's not your fault.  There were too many cooks stiring the pot.

We have lost several aunts and uncles in the last few years.  We have a Linenberger family reunion every June in my hometown of Washington, KS.  Last year was the 50th reunion.  We had over 250 people there.

A great time was had by one and all.  We don't know how much longer we will be blessed with the remaing seven so we cherish the time we have left.
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Comments: 30

Charlene Sharp Aug 16, 2007, 3:50pm EDT
It must be wonderful to have that many people in your family...
Randy- Being true to myself Aug 16, 2007, 4:03pm EDT
It must have been wonderful to all get together
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Aug 16, 2007, 4:03pm EDT
Wow, that's a nice big family.
Patti M. Aug 16, 2007, 9:46pm EDT
We had a great time and it was great to see everyone.
Jay M. Aug 17, 2007, 8:12pm EDT
Nothing like a big family reunion...
CyberGwen ! Aug 26, 2007, 12:27am EDT
That is a big family:)
I am sorry that you have lost some mebers, but hopefully there have been some new ones too:)
Donald M. Aug 30, 2007, 7:00pm EDT
This is Norma, Donald,s family reunion is in September, Their family wasnt really big. But they put both Daddy,s and Momma,s side together at the reunion. Both of his parents are deceased. Mine too. But my Mom had 11 brothers and sisters. 48 first cousins. About 78 of our kids. and their children. a huge family reunion. Dad had 5 brothers and sisters. All are deceased. Cousins scattered. Last reunion was before Dad passed in 91.
Patti M. Aug 31, 2007, 12:56am EDT
I hope they have another reunion. It's too bad when we lose track of family members.
Debra H. Aug 31, 2007, 7:55am EDT
I attended a family reunion last September, it's sad how few there are left, enjoy them while you can. 10
Patti M. Aug 31, 2007, 11:24am EDT
I do they are all precious.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Aug 31, 2007, 12:11pm EDT
We have a big family reunion up in Ohio. Not sure how big gets get sanymore. As it has been split to two towns. Not everyone goes to both. I haven't been one to a long time because my dad and stepmom was suppose to inform all the kids. Since then I moved out of state..but I have often wondered howmany shows up. I remember going to them as a kid. It is sad my kids won't grow up to know their relatives like I did. And that bothers me.
Patti M. Aug 31, 2007, 3:38pm EDT
The Linenberger reunion brings us in from all parts of the country. I'm so glad that the family kept it going after Grandma died several years ago. Once all the original siblings are gone it will be up to us first cousins to keep it going. The only thing we plan to change is the location. It is in my hometown of 1,000 now with nothing to do if you come in early. We plan to move it to Kansas City.
Thanks for the comment
Bundy P Aug 31, 2007, 9:44pm EDT
A heartwarming story!
Jerri H. Aug 31, 2007, 10:01pm EDT
Great shot....my mom's family is pretty big too :) Thanks for sharing!!!
Patti M. Sep 1, 2007, 7:29am EDT
Glad you enjoyed it.
Connie C. Sep 7, 2007, 6:19pm EDT
My Father has 15 brothers and sisters. My mother has 11 brothers and sisters. That does not count the ones that died as infants. I have 5 brothers and sister. I love large families.
Patti M. Sep 7, 2007, 7:58pm EDT
WoW! Connie and I thought mom had a large family.
Dale C. Sep 8, 2007, 11:38am EDT
I've gone from around 10 uncles to 1 in the last several years. It's amazing how much I miss them. There's sense of security among large close families that you don't really pay too much attention to until you don't have it anymore.
Elsie Duggan Sep 9, 2007, 11:38pm EDT
Sounds like you had a great family reunion Patti, our family is getting quite slim with the older folk , but still lots of young ones coming up, only thing now, it is not the same and people don't live close like they used to, but if you can, a great thing to get together as often as you can.
Kelly M. Oct 6, 2007, 10:46am EDT
It must be wonderful to have such a close knit family!
Virginia V. Oct 11, 2007, 4:19pm EDT
That is a true blessing. I also come from a large family, but most of my aunts & uncles are gone now. I did not get to see them for many years because I left my country when I was a little girl to come here, and they stayed behind. As an adult I had a chance to see a few of them (not all at the same time) and those are times I cherish.

You have a beautiful family!
Donald M. Nov 5, 2007, 3:10pm EST
Have a blessed day. A speedy recovery since this article was way before your sickness.
JoAnne D. Nov 23, 2007, 1:04am EST
Have a Happy Birthday and I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving too.
Curt L. Jun 3, 2008, 1:15pm EDT
A wonderful article, Patti!
Denise E. Jun 9, 2008, 1:58pm EDT
Good article - I'm glad that you are cherishing the time you have with them.
Sarah (I want points) Jun 25, 2008, 11:58am EDT
I'm glad you had fun! It's good to cherish every moment we have because life is short.
Curt L. Aug 1, 2008, 8:01pm EDT
Wonderful!
Darin Waugh Nov 24, 2008, 5:05pm EST
Nice!
Dorothy H. Dec 2, 2008, 5:10pm EST
I love large families also. It's sad to loose track.
Curt L. Oct 11, 2009, 3:26pm EDT
Over 250 is a HUGE reunion!

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