The Superior Express -

The 1960s - 1970s: When I was a little youngster, my family of eight (three brothers, three sisters and our parents) would head out to our grandparents’ farm just outside of Bolus, Nebraska. I remember having fun with all of our cousins, playing a game where we would throw a ball over the roof of the grands’ house. This, of course, irritated grandma but it was fun anyway! Occasionally we would also go to visit the other set of grandparents in Summerfield, Kansas. The cousins there were either way older or way younger than all of us but we still managed to have fun with each other.

The 1980s - 2000s: When my siblings and I were in our 20s and 30s and started having children of our own, the whole family would gather at the Nielsen house in Bolus where we grew up. Between us six siblings, our spouses and our children, there were tons of people in the small house. Never enough places to sit but always more than enough great food to eat. The brothers and brother-in-laws would play basketball at the half-court by the garage or football in the large grassy area next to the house and someone would always get injured during these intense battles of sport. My mom and dad were always surrounded by a herd of grandchildren. We got a little bit older and lost my mom but we still tried to gather at the Nielsen house for as long as we could. Eventually the sisters took over and it was, of course, still a great time. Brothers and brother-in-laws trading friendly insults and grandkids all around.

2023: On Thursday, my two sons, both of them now grown, will be bringing their own families to our home in Superior. Grandchildren will be running all over the place having fun and playing games and someone will probably get hurt, playing too rough. Brothers and in-laws will joke and trade friendly insults. My grandchildren will inevitable throw the ball on the roof, which my wife will not enjoy and there may not be enough places for everyone to sit but there will be more than enough food for everyone!