The Value of Family Reunions

 

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.
Earlier this month my hubby’s family had their annual family reunion. It was the first time we were able to hold it since 2019 and it was soooooo good to see everyone again. We always look forward to this gathering -  it’s an opportunity for him and all his siblings, cousins, everyone’s extended families, including in-laws and out-laws, to come together and get reacquainted or acquainted for the first time.

There is table set up at the front of the room where photos of loved ones we’ve lost hold a place of honor. There’s also a place to set out other family photos, family tree info and other memorabilia. There are always groups clustered around these, enjoying the look at times past and adding the names of new family members to the genealogy.

Then of course there’s the meal. Oh. My. Goodness! Everyone tries to outdo themselves by cooking up everything from repeats of family favorites to new experiments in food decadence. There’s always much more than our group can possibly eat, though we all do our best to try!

In the afternoon, once the meal is cleared everyone has to pose for pictures. Of course the cameras have been snapping all day but these are the posed groupings in every combination imaginable - born Griggs, siblings, individual families, etc.

When the cleanup is done and folks have started drifting away, my hubby and his siblings, along with their own families, have another reunion of sorts. They make a trip to the cemetery where his parents are buried and then take a trip out to the old home place, which is still very much in the family, though no one lives there currently. One of my daughters has bought a large chunk of it and runs cattle on the place and has gradually been making improvements. So here as well there are lots of opportunities to reminisce and talk about what’s changed and what has remained the same.  

It was fun to hear my kids and their cousins share memories about the old tree swing (the chain is still there since the tree branch has absorbed it), about digging in the dirt under that same tree, playing in the barn and learning to ride bikes on the country road that runs in front of the house. Their own kids were all wide-eyed as they listened to these stories and tried to imagine their parents as children.

 As the day ended I took a moment to think about how very valuable these type of family gatherings are.  While my own family doesn't do family reunions per se, we traditionally all gather at my Mom's house during the days leading up to Christmas. Since we are now counting great-grandkids among our group, the holiday gathering can number into the 30s or 40s. And it is the same pattern - lots of food, reminiscences, vigorous but ultimately friendly debates, games and laughter. So I am lucky to have these sorts of gatherings on both sides of my kids family tree.

So what are some of those valuable takeaways?

They allow us to keep in touch with family that has moved away and who we might never see otherwise. While, texts, emails and social media postings can help, there is nothing like being face-to-face to remind us of all we share.

They give the newer generations a feel for where they come from – the people, the values, the heritage. They learn about family lore, places, history and personalities.

They allow us to create new memories and new traditions that knit the newer members in with those who have been around much longer, they let us form stronger connections between the generations.

And to bring this around to something writing related, if you open yourself up to these kinds of wonderful experiences, you can draw on them later to add another layer of richness and texture to the backstory of your characters.

 

So, does your family do reunions, either formal or informal? Can you think of any benefits I left off?

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