Ahhh...Family

We are now in the midst of the most beautiful time of year in Montana. The wildflowers are in bloom, the weather is hot and sunny, and the mountains are healthy and green. It’s been five years since I’ve experienced summer in Montana.

I spent my Fourth of July up in the mountains South of Bozeman at our family reunion from my mom’s side: the Glueckerts. For three days we hired out this entire youth camp and man, what a beautiful place. It’s situated right on the shore of Hyalite reservoir and surrounded by lush forest and snow-covered rocky mountain peaks. The camp has everything you would need including running water, electricity, cabins with sleeping bunks, a kitchen and mess hall, and showers. The fire pit is one of my favorite places, with a great view of the lake and the mountains behind it.

(A view of Hyalite Lake from camp)

(Hangin' around the main cabin and eating area)

We have a huge family and this year our attendance was around 80 people instead of the usual 100 to 120 (I think because it was on a holiday weekend and there were a lot of schedule conflicts). The Glueckerts reside mainly in Montana and South Dakota, but some came from as far as Texas and Chicago.

Each night a few Uncles and I entertain everyone by playing our guitars around the campfire. It’s always a fun event for all, and we add in lots of humor and sing-alongs. Saturday night we had a talent contest in which the highlight was the “First Annual Artificial Flatulence Contest” created and led by our buddy Bert Glueckert! Hah! Only a bunch of Glueckerts get together and conduct a serious fart contest. I laughed so much that weekend my throat was sore!

(Entertainment around the campfire with Uncle Steve, Dick, John and Gregg)

(Doing a skit for the talent show)

(My Grandpa Fred telling a story)

(The funny guys Tim and Bert)

Anyway, it was a special time for all and I look forward to the next one in two years. I just think its so special that everyone in the family is so supportive and dedicated to each other that we can have these events with such ease. Its also interesting to see the new generation of Glueckerts (including myself) growing up and getting involved with activities. We will be the next leaders of these reunions.

Well I’m still having a tough time deciding what to do next. I have to admit I’ve never been this confused before in my life, however it does make life more exciting since nothing seems permanent and that I am free to go off and follow my curiosity. In America, we do have a very stable and permanent societal concept, and it I do feel a little uneasy not having a sound plan for the future or working a job in my ‘career.’ I constantly throw ideas around like getting an engineering job again somewhere in the US and trying to settle down, or moving back to NZ for a longer period of time and trying to get residency. I also want to travel some more and check out Europe and South America too. I just can’t decide on anything at the moment, its as if nothing feels ‘right.’ After the family reunion, it really set in how important my family is and if I were across an ocean, how isolated I would feel. NZ feels strangely like a dream now and I wonder if I will ever go back to live there.

So I just feel sort of in a type of purgatory here in Helena waiting for something to strike a chord with me. I want it to feel right, because I believe that big decisions eventually come to you and you just feel what is right for you. For example, coming home from NZ was an easy, natural decision. It just felt right. I guess there are bound to be long periods of time like my time here in Helena where you are just ‘floating’ and waiting, just passing time. I think things happen for a reason, and I’m trying to take full advantage of this time to be here for my family.