Family reunion

CRESTVIEW—A family reunion of five generations isn’t a common scene these days but that’s what happened when Trish Lundy-Koestler returned Friday to her former home of Crestview.

Lundy-Koestler was born in Pensacola but grew up and spent most of her adult life in Crestview, attending Bob Sikes Elementary School and graduating from Crestview High School. She moved with her immediate family in 2012, to Illinois.

“It was difficult at first and it’s been tough,” Lundy-Koestler said.

She’s thankful for video messaging services that allow her to feel like she’s still at home.

“We live in a small town but it’s not the South,” she added. “The hospitality is just different down here.”

Lundy-Koestler returned home last year to spend time with family but this trip was different because it included her infant granddaughter. The 15-hour drive to Crestview brought together five generations of family members for the first time.

Betty Busbee, Lundy-Koestler’s grandmother, was able to meet her great-great-granddaughter for the first time during the extended weekend visit.

“She is absolutely beautiful; I knew she would be,” Busbee said as she held the family’s youngest member.

Busbee was recently diagnosed with dementia and Lundy-Koestler understood the opportunities to have a reunion would be limited. Busbee still lives in the home her late husband helped construct when she was working at Okaloosa Title and Abstract.

Lundy-Koestler said she planned to enjoy her brief visit home and get as much family time as possible. She’s also appreciating a change from the Midwest’s cold climate for a few days.

Another perk?

“I’m looking forward to mom’s cooking,” Lundy-Koestler said with a laugh.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family reunion