Lemire Gathering 2001

Lemire Gathering 2001

© 2001 by Bud Lemire

I took a journey, far away from home

To a place, where my ancestors use to roam

To somewhere, I don't usually dwell

It was time, to see the world, and come out of my shell

It was a celebration, of two common ancestors we share

This gathering, showed many descendants that they bear

A meeting of cousins, to mark 300 years

That started it all, for so many Lemires

I arrived at Ville-Joie by Taxi, but didn't see one familiar face

The owner of the cottage said, the Lemires were setting up at the other place

Levi Lemire drove up in his car, and drove me over to where they would be

Soon Reine and Claude and others, showed up to join Levi and me

We set up the cottage, for the big gathering to come

Name tags were issued, so we'd know where they were from

I hadn't shaved, or showered for a day

So Reine showed me, to the place where I would stay

I got acquainted, with cousins who were there

Why, there was even one from California, who had red hair

It was the next day, that would be the greatest day forever more

Cousins arrived from everywhere, introductions were at the door

One little old man smiled, and I could see he was very happy too

In French he said, "I must be in Heaven, this is too good to be true”

I felt the same, as I gathered with the cousins who were there

And felt the love of family, of the feelings we did share

I met so many cousins, I wrote them down in my book

And got to know them better, with the time that I took

I took many pictures, but I won't say much about them here

Except to say, upon my journey home, some things did disappear

Then we took part in, a reenacted wedding of our common ancestor

Followed by a meal, with chicken like I've never tasted before

I gathered with some cousins, while a presentation was shown

To compare information, on some families I have known

Singing songs by the campfire, on Lac St.Pierre that night

Happiness and contentment with me, as I basked in the firelight

I shall always remember, the time that I spent there

And all of the cousins I met, who came from everywhere

It was so wonderful to meet so many of my Lemire Cousins.