Perkins Reunion

This last Saturday, July 25th we went out to the Perkins Ranch for a family reunion. My Granddad, Ben Perkins lived at worked on the ranch his entire life. Now he's buried there, not far from the site of the original homestead. Many times when we were around him he was pretty grouchy. But to hear him tell it, "you would be too if you'd worked a dry farm in AZ your whole life." (Okay - I admit that's not an exact quote, but I swear it's close.) Were he still alive, he would have been 100 years this year, so a celebration of his life in the form of a family reunion was in order. Normally it would "just" be my Grandad and Grandma's (Ben and Cecelia's) family - meaning their ten children's families including my Dad's (mine). But this reunion was a little more special as all the descendants from Ben's father and mother were invited.

Rueben and Jane Perkins had thirteen children; my grandfather Ben being their youngest. They raised their family in a very small log home in Clay Springs, AZ less than a 1/4 mile from the home I myself was raised in. Our home had three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, and a complete kitchen all with modern appliances, electricity, and running water. (most of the time) My Great Grandmother certainly didn't have it so easy.

As part of the reunion a new little log cabin was dedicated in honor of my great-grandparents, the home they lived in, and the lives they led. My dad and his brothers this cabin the same size and in the exact place the original homestead stood. Although it is the same size, it was not meant to be a replica of the original house, but more of a monument. The modern metal roof shows the intention that this new cabin will remain standing long after we're gone.

I remember checking out the old homestead as a kid. It was in pretty bad shape then, with most of the roof missing, but was nevertheless quite fascinating. A couple of small lean-tos had been added to the cabin - a bedroom and kitchen I believe, but it was still hard to believe a family of thirteen could have occupied it comfortably - (and that was not counting grandchildren that would have come along.) I can remember looking up into the broken and falling loft, wondering about how many of the children would have had to sleep up there. When I was a kid the place looked quite tall and big enough I could imagine the family there. Now, from the perpective of an adult the one room cabin looks absolutely tiny.

As time went on the old cabin became too dangerous in its condition and what was left after the ravages of weather and the mischief of many boys on the ranch was torn down completely. All that remained was the fireplace and chimney. When my dad and uncles built the new cabin they repaired the original chimney using the original stone.

An old trunk and an iron bed remained in the ruins of the house and they too now have been repaired and have found a home again in the new cabin with a fresh coat of black paint and a new patchwork quilt made by my aunts. A cookstove was also added to the cabin and for display purposes, a loaf of my aunt's good homemade bread. It would have been a typical sight (and smell) in Grandma's house.

The family bathtub, however, hangs outside on the wall, and a little gravel path leads the way to another small house outback - fully functional I'm told although I resisted giving it a try. ;)

I don't regret not being born in the days of that original cabin, with it's lack of electricity, in floor heating system, insulation, swamp cooler, and just "room" - to be by oneself if wanted. I guess that's what the cedar trees were good for in addition to the hot fires they'd provide in the winter? I certainly feel lucky I live in a time and place where I can take a hot shower with a quick easy turn of a faucet handle, but I do recognize and appreciate that my ancestors lived a much simpler life and harder life.

Through it all they did raise a family I'm so proud to be a part of. I think my Granddads and Grandmas would be proud too - to see that their work and sweat and love of family and the gospel did pay off in a great and large posterity of good, hardworking, loving people, who are proud of their heritage also. I appreciate family reunions and the opportunities to hear stories about those that came before me, and to learn about the very real people they were. I'm so thankful for the examples they were to us and the traditions they left for us to carry on, including that of having and raising our children in the gospel. And yeah, from the nibbles I saw, a tradition of loving homemade bread too.