Now It's Time To Say Goodbye To All Our Company

     Well dear friends the Williams convention, ah, that is,
reunion is over and it is already getting rave reviews.
      For those who came in late, my wife and all of her
7 siblings were together for the first time in 14 years.
Arranging this gathering was a little like Congress
trying to pass a budget. Everyone had his or her own
opinion so, in the end, a few sisters took the logical
approach and simply dictated how everything would be
handled. That worked!
      The reunion and all of its ancillary activities was a
huge success in so many ways!
      First, everybody showed up....sort of. I hesitate to
 be more definitive on this point as, for years, family
visitors, especially young men dating any of the girls,
have labored under the impression that a 9th sibling,
named Carl, was kept, unseen, living in the basement
of the family home. Now....we're just not sure...so a
place is always kept for Carl. It's usually a closet! 
      At various times in our lives some of us have felt
other siblings should join him.
     Our gathering was fantastic aided, if I do say so
 myself by Satellite music straight out of the 50's.
     While the brothers are sisters seemed to enjoy the
sound younger family members were somewhat
amazed to learn that there are, or were, songs
produced with actual words one could understand!
There were, of course, exceptions such as the "Papa-
 ooma-mow-mow" included in "Surfin Bird."  
   The highlight of the night was a customized "Family
Feud" game which proved, conclusively, that the
straight A's attained by the family's females were
undoubtedly the result of their good looks as opposed to
their academic memories!
       Someone stumbling upon our gathering might be a
bit surprised by the funny hats, jackets, and other props
worn and used as we broke bread and had a drink or
two together. After 45 plus years of my involvement
nothing surprises me.
      Now as brothers and sisters return to their own homes
with new wonderful memories of time spent together as
in days long gone......I am both thankful we could all be
together and proud that I was able to survive a wife, two
sister-in-laws, and one enlarged prostrate all sharing a
small house with one bathroom together for two days!
      Hope we get to do it again...and that all your NEWS
is good!