1st Cousins

It was May, 1956, and a group of the Ewen clan were gathered for what looks like a birthday party. Standing on the from row, second from the right, is my brother Henry.  He was born in May, and it might be a picture of his birthday party.  It would have been his seventh year, and most of the folks look pretty dressed up for this event.  A single light bulb illuminates the room, and most seem to want to get this picture taking over.

"1st Cousins", I would call it.  A product of a large family.  Myrna Jean [my Mom] was in the middle of 12 children.  Nine were to reach adulthood, and would add their chromosomes to this group of party goers.  You can imagine what a family get together was like.  This front row seemed to be involved in the enjoyment of that long straw full of powered sugar that you had to open at one end, and shake onto your waiting tongue.  A lot of work for very little reward, or least for me it seemed that way.

Speaking of me, I am that glowing face high in the background with fingers in the mouth.  At five years of age, always ready to provide some extra entertainment to the festivities, I would often make faces to the camera.  I had some good ones saved for special occasions.  They were not always well received by the adults of the camera, but the other kids seemed to enjoy them.  Occasionally, I would get a whole group making faces. [Crossing eyes was my specialty!]

Anyway, here we were, 1st cousins to the end.