As I sat with my eyes glued to the television, watching the funeral services and the many documentaries regarding Senator Ted Kennedy’s life. I could not stop thinking that through all the Kennedy family’s tragedies, disappointments, and struggles they were still connected. The Kennedy family appeared to be a strong, supportive, and loving family. I wondered,”What held them together? Was it their love and devotion of family? Was it their faith?”
I thought about my family and how every year we have a family reunion. Our family reunion has been a tradition for more than 20 years. In discussions, I frequently hear people say that their family has never had a family reunion. I would ponder that thought and think,”how sad.” So often the only time you meet family members for the first time is at a funeral. A family reunion is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together for a happy occasion. To laugh and enjoy each other. To reminisce and share thoughts about the future.
I recall when I attended my family reunion for the first time several years ago. The sight of all my newfound relatives overwhelmed me. To know that I was connected to all these people was empowering. My family’s history resembles that of an old oak tree, with deep thick roots, and several strong branches that began more than a century ago. Like an old oak tree that has survived the blistering sun, bitter cold, damaging winds, and torrential rains. My family survived tragedy, evils of oppression, and the inequality of segregation. I was meeting generations of family members for the first time in my adult life.
As we hugged each other and told stories of how we are connected, I asked myself,”Why have I not attended my family reunions in the past?” Perhaps, I made the excuse that I had more important things to do. Until that moment I truly did not understand the importance of family reunions. For those couple of days I laughed, hugged, worshiped, and broke bread with family. We reflected on the past, celebrated the present, and welcomed the future. All the trials and tribulations of life did not matter. I was inspired, enlighten, and vowed that I would make every effort not to miss another family reunion.
I am thankful to the handful of relatives that had the vision to organize our first family reunion more than 20 years ago. Their dedication, love, and commitment to family allowed our family history to thrive. They understood that a family reunion would bring together the young and old, keep our family connected, and strengthen family relationships.
Debbie very good article!!!! It truly is amazing to see the generations of family that is what amazes me the most. I know it may sound corny but when I went to our family reunion in 2008 it did something to me. Seeing the offspring of my uncles and aunts that I have never met and their children. I guess sometimes people feel if they are not brothers and sisters, people you grow up with, lived with, played, and laughed with, then they are just “distant” relatives that you feel no ties, until you actually go to your family reunion and you see people that look somewhat similar to you. Then it hits you that they too are my brothers and sisters. I am committed to attending the family reunion in 2010. I have learned that nothing is more important than family and everyone needs to take time to enjoy their family……