"Family Reunion," as seen in Heartwarmers.com FAMILY REUNION It's summer and time for the annual family reunion. It comes with summertime like hot weather and the county fair. Cars beep a hello as they drive in and folks hop out saying things like: "Look how much she's grown!" (Now that I'm an adult, I really prefer that nobody says that about me anymore.) I learned to appreciate family reunions as a child. There was Great Uncle Carl who loved children and we all looked for him because he would tease us, and pretend to trip us with his cane (at least I think he was pretending). And I loved the family nicknames, such as Lank, Happy, or Curly. Would Snow White show up too? If you go every year from the time you are born, you will eventually figure out who some of your relatives are before you die. If you come soon after you are born, you might win the prize for the youngest member of the family. Then you must keep coming to insure that your particular family line wins the prize for the most members present. If not, Grandma will lament all year long that it was your fault that her line didn't win, because they only lacked one person to win and you weren't there. From the time I was small, we attended two reunions yearly -- one for each side of the family. Sometimes we had reunions at our house. Tables and chairs were borrowed from church and placed under shade trees. There were little circled up groups here and there. Some visited, some played table games, or maybe a game of softball. Under the big maple tree, a group strummed their guitars and sang the old songs, and that's where I learned "Froggy Went A Courtin". Reunions included huge quantities of food and homemade lemonade or iced tea, and what reunion would be complete without fried chicken? Of course there was a pan, nearly as big as a washtub, full of crn-on-the-cob. Can you say "roastinears"? (all one word, slurred together.) We can't forget the talent show. Many who wanted to, and some who didn't, were asked to perform. There was a variety of entertainment. It didn't matter if you were good or not, there was always a round of applause for you. One year we performed an original song written by my brother-in-law and yours truly. We surprised his mother and sang this song in her honor and she was duly mortified. It's one of those things mothers have to endure: -- The Underwear Song -- 1) Growing up I learned a thing or two Always be careful what you say and do Listen really close and you will see This is what my Mama said to me Chorus Always wear clean underwear Cause you might have a wreck between here and there Just in case you need emergency care Always wear clean underwear 2) The years have gone by and I'm old and gray And still this question won't go away As I drive along with caution and care Do I have on clean underwear? - by Myron and Pamela Blaine, (c) June 1997 Reunions are a time of renewing, caring, and loving. They remind us of who we are and give us a sense of identity. Life is short, and family is extremely important. Family includes the adopted, the in-laws, and even a few out-laws. Visitors are welcomed in the festivities. The family reunion is a place where everyone is loved no matter where you are in the family tree or what has happened in your past. As people begin to leave there are hugs and kisses and promises to stay in touch and to see one another more often. Some hesitate a bit longer in saying good-byes, dreading to leave and linger for one more hug, as Aunt Julia says, "Would you play Amazing Grace one more time?" She dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief, as several join in four part harmony, making a wonderful sound that echoes in my mind years later. Many are getting up in years now. A cousin said, "I'm so old, I don't even buy green bananas anymore." I look around me and wonder, who won't be with us next year. Some have health problems and there are no guarantees of tomorrow. Who will make it back next year? I'm reminded not to take anyone for granted. I have learned to be generous with hugs and in saying, "I love you" because this could be the last hug, the last kiss, the last good-bye. Reunions are good. Family is good. Life is good, and God is good! -- Pamela R. Blaine <[email protected]> http://members.aol.com/pamyblaine/PamyPlace.html Copyright (c) PamyPlace