ANNA MONICA / L’Observateur / December 8, 1999

A good time was had by all.

How often we have heard that? This time, for sure, it was true.

The “we” were the female offspring of the five Navarra sisters of Garyville. The sisters are Marie Guidry, Vita Monica, Clara Oubre,Catherine Oubre and Frances Falgoust. For a number of years we have beengetting together for a mother-daughter Christmas party and daughters-in law and other female adult offspring of daughters and in-laws are also included.

At least four of the sisters manage to do their errands together at least once a week, and everywhere they go they are recognized and in some places are referred to as “the golden girls.” I believe they enjoy it. Theyhave a long history together, are very involved in each others’ lives and their ages range from the 70s to the 70s.

This year we had our mother-daughter party at Andrea Matherne’s house in Grand Point. To gain admittance to the house, we had to not knock but singa Christmas carol. Andrea is Clara’s daughter and always finds a way toadd humor to a party. We were a group of over 30 people, with every one ofus related to each other either through bloodline or marriage. Clara’s groupwas the largest at this year’s party and could have filled the house without the help of the rest of us. But the mood was merry as we eagerlyawaited for Santa Claus to show up to hand out the gifts we brought.

Speaking of gifts, though, I have really become suspicious of my cousins because I had number eight and the bag I got had the number four on it! Sure, when they see this they will have all kinds of explanations, but should I believe them? It was a good looking Santa, though, who in real life is Gay Duhon, Clara’s granddaughter.

Clara had the largest group at the party, including Clair Zeringue, Kelly Oubre, Sheila Oubre, Clair Becnel, Penny Vicknair, Coy Weber-Lacrouts, Shannon Weber, Anna Weber, Tina Keller, Lynne Weber and Heather Vicknair. Add also to that group Tracy Triche, Hope Triche, Gig Riddick,Mandy Vicknair, Odile Ryan, Amy Ryan and Heidi Vicknair. Vita is my mom,and some of our family had other plans so it was only me, Maria and Sunny Stein representing her group.

Catherine Oubre couldn’t be there but daughter Cheryl Louque showed up to represent her mom, and Tina Guidry was there with mother-in-law Marie.

Debbie Poche, Dawn Dottolo and Mary Frances Falgoust were there with their mom, Frances.

Erin St. Pierre, Andrea’s young friend, served as her little elf, and RoseMartin was generous with her time as our photographer. We sure kept herbusy, too, because we had so many group pictures to take. It is always sogood to have these memories. I had brought my albums of pictures frompast parties, and it is amazing how so much has changed since we started these get-togethers.

Some have been added while others have been lost, and there are memories among those pictures that either add to our joy or sadden our hearts a bit.

It is OK, though, because most of us feel it is important to keep the connection, regardless of circumstances. Family is so very important, andwith so many of us it is difficult to see each other often or be involved in other ways.

So, there was love and concern, hugs and kisses with Maria, at whose house we had the party last year, and Andrea, vowing and conspiring to keep the tradition alive for the future. After all, it’s Christmas and mostof all, it’s family.

If you want to tell me what your family has been doing, I would be glad to write about that too!

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