It wasn't over the hills and through the woods nonsense. It was a wobbly prop plane from New York City, to Norfolk, Va. The plane, like me a WW2 retred,was old and the short flight of an hour plus was scary. I could imagine voices shouting, "Twelve Oclock High"I looked out the postage size window and the prop, a huge chugging bullet nosed monster felt as if it would chew me up.

The flight was too shortto serve potent drinks so I made do with a v-cup of diet coke.
We landed safe and sound at Norfolk, Virginia. Seven or eight members of my family live there and I imaginedthem carrying signs "Welcome to Norfolk, Famous Uncle Art.

Of course, there was nobody there to greet me.I assume they were late and would show up in a minute screaming with joy, the welcome signs
trailing behind them.

Ofcourse, I did not have my sister's phone number with me. After about an hour or so I heard "Passenger Bligourios come to the information desk. It sounded enoughlike my name I went to the info desk and my niece Kathy who I barely remember, greeted me.

(Point of Information, my eldest sister, Gertrude--her name in Greek is Aphrodite (no joke) has three girls, Kathy, Susan and Linda)

We went to Linda's home, she has three children who have a gaggle of children. The noise in the house was louder than the wreck of the plane I flew in.
In Greek, Yaya means Grandmother. There were cries of Yaya every three minutes of so and these yaya's were the kids Iknew.

The dinner reflected our family, the traditional American turkey, Greek feta, and olives, salata,yams, ham and a lot of joyous talk.

I know that every family has unforgettable Thanksgivings, some filled with spiteful family anger. The warmth of family --not all sweet and smiley, but family which knows of the shortcomings, jealousies, wrongs, and strife, humor, strength and ultimately the love which knits it all together to make it a family.

I felt I was in another country, seeing our American tradition as fun filled family feast for the first time.

Aww, Uncle Art!
So glad to see you posting and I hope this means you feel perfectly well again?
You are a braver man than I, Gunga Din, getting on that plane!
I hope there are more Famous Uncle Art stories coming up!!
Scarlett

Hello Uncleart, how wonderful to see you posting again. And how happy your family must have been to have you with them. Now about that prop plane, the last time I was on one (years ago) I said "never again". So you are the brave one! Take good care, trust you are feeling better. I sure hope to see some more post from you. Happy holidays!!!

"The warmth of family --not all sweet and smiley, but family which knows of the shortcomings, jealousies, wrongs, and strife, humor, strength and ultimately the love which knits it all together to make it a family"

OK, now I'm having trouble typing because of the tears in my eyes. ....I guess that truly is what makes it a family.

Thanks for a great story. SusanEva

Hi Unc,

Good to have you posting again.

>...these yaya's were the kids I knew.

What is it about other people that they all get old, while we never change?

Thanks for the kind words, hopefuly I will have my favorite traveling companion back soon. Please tell him that eating is good

yeadonite,
Please tell your Dad that Eating Is Good, I know this to be true ~lol~
I hear a small glass of port or sherry before dinner perks up ones appetite
All the best, looking forward to hearing more.
Scarlett