For family reunions.
It was long overdue, but this past Saturday, thankfully, we were able to gather for a family reunion, albeit minus a handful of members. I will tell you that those not there in body where most definitely there in spirit, as their presence was strongly felt.
Getting a big group together for one of these is not a simple task. Especially one that includes three or four generations, and lots (and lots) of cousins. In our busy and increasingly semi-impersonal world, it can be hard to pull that off. The closest we get is during Thanksgiving and/or Nochebuena when we manage to group together throughout town with the immediate members of our clans. Of course, today’s tech world allows us to stay in touch via social media, but digital photos and posts do not come close to warming the heart like an embrace does. And indeed, many hugs were exchanged on Saturday, along with tons of old photographs and plenty of stories to go along with them. Needless to say, we had a lot of good laughs.
I think given the barrage of digital distraction surrounding us, a genuine connection with family (related or chosen) is more important than ever. As for our clan, because we’ve all grown up in close-knit families, I’m pretty sure the younger members of our group already understand the benefits of “face-to-face” over “screen-to-screen” interaction. Nonetheless, I sure hope events like Saturday’s inject in them an everlasting craving to connect in person with those we cherish.
Saturday’s super-getty was special, and we look forward to the next one. Many thanks to those who organized it. For family reunions, today and always, I am thankful.
What are you thankful for today?
Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.
“Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.”
-G.L. Buckley
“The family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.”
-D. Smith
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”
-J. Howard
