The Derblays on the Sabbath

'We left Mauritius when I was nine, and to be honest it wasn't too traumatic' I told them. I had been asked to say a few words on behalf of my family at a gathering of the wider Benett clan. 'When people would ask me if I have any family in Mauritius, I would say 'well, not really', how wrong I was!'.
We are gathered at the house of Max Derblay, a cousin of my father and there must have been about sixty people in all. Five generations we counted. There is a cousin of my grandmother, who looks just like her. My fathers generation with names I'd only heard of, such as Daniel Gueho who married Rosemay Derblay. They and the families they married into, all went to the Adventist church. The switch from Roman Catholicism was made way back when my Grandmother, Granmere Suzanne, was persuaded by her friend to make the change.
Vivianne has organised it all, with Roseline Gueho and many others. We even have name badges so we know who everyone is.
Then there is our generation. My siblings and direct cousin, but also wider, such as Martine Gueoh and others.
Next, Marie-Claire's daughters are here, Nadia, Melonie and Anja. Marilyn and Jocelyn had their children and with them their grand children. Five generations.
The day had started with trip to L'Eglise Adventist de Beau Bassin. The interior of the church was new and unrecognisable from our day. It was full. The sermon was in French, and I'm pleased to say I followed most of it. The preacher was expansive, passionate and funny. Just as I imagined he would be, although a little short in stature to be totally convincing. The songs too were in French, which I joined in with, with gusto.
After the service we met people, all of whom seemed to be our relatives, then on to the big lunch.
It is here that I am giving my few words. Viv had asked if I would while we were eating, ten minutes earlier.
So I tell them how we had lost touch with each other over time, but then last year reconnected and I'd gone to Australia. It was here that we had promised to meet up again in Mauritius.
Before me, our eldest cousin here, Francis, had spoken and made the link with the different family lines. He used the photos that Viv had found of a family gathering on the exact spot in 1947, and another one even earlier.
Before Francis, my father had spoken. He told of the story of how his father, Granpere, had set up the Benett foundation. We don't how true it is, but Grandpere did not attend the church, only for his daughters weddings. Apparently, he didn't tithe to the church either. In his last days he thought he better take out some insurance on the after life, and settle his account. So he left a considerable amount to the trust fund, which has gone towards the education of poorer children in the church.
Whether it is true or not, it is believable. He was a clever business man. Let us hope he got a return on his investment. I think he has, don't you?
After the speeches we have a huge family photo, on the same veranda as the photos all those years ago. One in the can for posterity. As aunty Marceline said ' I am proud of the blood in my veins'.
Tonight we're going to a Sega show, then lots of them are going home tomorrow, but it wont be the last I see of my family, I'm sure.