We had the Bennet family reunion the other Saturday. In keeping with tradition, it was held at Lumber Jack Park.

I got to see cousins that I have never seen before as well as cousins that I haven’t seen in forty years. One of these long lost cousins was Mikie.

When I was growing up, I knew her as Maxine. Over the years, I guess she got the nick name of Mikie. She was the daughter of uncle Dick and aunt Butch. I think that aunt Butches real name was Bernice but I don’t know for sure. She was always referred to as aunt Butch.

Any way, Mikie also has a younger sister that went by the name of Hoppie. I think that her real name is Laura Kay, but again, I only knew her as Hoppie so I am not sure. After all, it has been forty years or more.

I’m sorry, I digress.

Seeing a cousin who is about my age, after all of these years, is a bit of a shock to the system. So many memories, so much history.

What has her life been like? Is she happy? Is she married. Does she have any children? So many questions, so little time.

She was happy to see me and said that she hadn’t seen me in over five years. That is a safe statement but I think it would be more like 45 years. But yet, even though I don’t really know her, I feel the need to reach out to her, to get to know her.

She is definitely a colorful individual. Judging by the number of rings on her fingers, I would say that she has an artistic side to her.

She lives in Riverdale which is about two miles south of Lumber Jack Park. She gave us her telephone number and told us to stop in anytime. She even said that if we stop at the bar in Riverdale, just ask them to give Mikie a call and she would be happy to come over and have a beer with us.

I think that I might just do that the next time we are in the area. We may even make a special trip.