The Basford Family Picnics

When you're a kid summer is the best time of the year. With no school you have all day to play, getting dirty and in trouble are the staples of an active kids life. But for a Basford kid there was that one special summer day, the family picnic. Every year the Basford clan would meet at Manson Park. The Partriarch and Matriarch of the family being Gram and Gramp, then the 5 "kids", and finally most of the 20 grandchildren. I always looked forward to that day. When I was much younger it was great because Uncle J would come out from NY and that meant getting to see Cousins M and T, the one day of the year that I knew I'd get to hang out with them. It also meant that Uncle B would be up from Saco. Of course Aunt J and Aunt P would be there too bringing the cousins in tow. Looking back that was the biggest deal, having everyone all in one place for most of a day. It didn't seem like that at the time, as a kid there were more important things on my mind.

First and foremost was the family softball game. I can remember being so excited about it, pestering Dad about when we would play, it seemed to take forever to eat and get the "grown ups" ready to play. Everyone played too, well except for maybe Gram, I don't remember her ever playing. I remember her sitting and watching. Looking back she must have so proud, her entire family playing together, laughing, competing...........Uncle J would always, more than likely several times, hold the bat by the barrel and try to hit the ball. I laughed every time too, funny what we remember isn't it. It was at one of these games when Gramp gave me the first piece of baseball advise. I was like 9 or 10 I think and of course I wanted to do everything. I was especially excited because Gramp was on my team and the gown ups let me pitch. We took the field first, my memory tells me that I struck out the side but that maybe skewed a little. When we came in to hit I wanted to bat first (of course). Gramp told me that you never have your pitcher hit lead off, it's just not done. So one of the other kids hit first. Of course I see this now for what it was, not baseball advise so much as a creative way for a Grandparent to keep a grandchild from being selfish. Well played Gramp.......as always.

At some point tennis would be played. I can remember Uncle J playing against Gramp and Dad playing against Uncle B.

Of course no Basford family gathering would be complete with out food, lots and lots of food. Burgers and dogs were the center piece of course, but there was Aunt J's coleslaw too, the adults raved about it.

Then came that fateful summer, it had to happen eventually, though as a kid I couldn't fathom it. One the saddest moments I can remember, the first summer with no family picnic. What do you mean there's not going to be a picnic????? There's always a picnic......there was always the softball game......How could this be happening????

We don't have the picnics at Manson Park anymore, but usually there's a cook out at Mom and Dad's where most of everyone makes it. Those are great times, getting caught up with everyone you don't see that often. Plenty of laughter, lots of singing, if Dad has his way, and loads of Sox talk........but it's not the same, there's no softball, and this year, for the first time in all of our memories neither the Matriarch nor the Patriarch will be there, sitting quietly, taking everything in.

We all love and miss you Gramp........