Chapter 23: Another Nelson-Hasselquist Get-Together

The Hasselquists: Peter, Gene, Miriam, Gladys, and Lynn in the Nelson living room.  A Thanksgiving gathering for two families whose closest relatives live more than 1,000 miles away.

The Nelsons and Hasselquists solidified their friendship in 1954.  It was the only time I recall my parents having a close relationship with another couple prior to Dad's retirement in 1981.  As a pastor's wife, Mom occasionally bemoaned the limits her role placed on her.  She didn't want to appear to be playing favorites among members of the congregation.  In the 1970s, she socialized with a group of women, none of them members of St. Paul's, who regularly went swimming at the Y.  Enjoying each other's company so much, they branched out into other activities.  Going out to dinner and leaving their husbands at home being a favorite, if I recall.

In the picture below:  Larry, Peter, Gene, Lynn, Miriam, Paul, and Barbara (who, all of 7 months old, appears to be highly amused at whatever Gene is reading to us).  Since I'm no longer wearing a cowboy shirt and Lynn no longer has bows in her hair, I assume this shot if from another end-of-year gathering.