Seven Degrees of ... Family

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a family reunion. And though unlike those portrayed in movies and sitcoms, for the most part it was pleasantly uneventful – no infighting, no deep family secrets revealed, and thankfully no gossipy discussions about this person or that. Just a good, old fashioned, pass-the-barbeque-and-banana-pudding-type of gathering.

Unlike those attended in the past however, I soon found myself more melancholy than years past. This time I discovered myself more of a studier of those in attendance, as well as an active participant in actual, grown-up family discussions. So, why the change? Well, I believe it could had been in large part to the passing my 50-year-old mark since the last time I saw these folks; a maturity that gave me a better understanding of what reunions were really all about… family. For during this weekend, I found myself more appreciative of the extended branches I had - their history, as well as each unique leaf that made up my family tree. And though a bit more weathered and fragile, each of those leaves still held places in my heart, as well as fond memories of their youth gone by.

Unfortunately though, that was the underlying sad truth intertwined among those days’ activities. The truth, as well as the profound appreciation, of just how delicate our lives; our family; our tree actually is. The truth that there will come a time when – no matter how much we don’t want it to happen – that some of those loved ones wouldn’t be around for reunions or gatherings in the future. In heartfelt remembrances, of course. But in physical being…no.

So as I drove back from the fellowship shared, I felt a stronger gratitude for those I called ‘family’.  From this also, a need to share that no matter how dysfunctional your family may be, or whatever problems you may have with those you share blood with, life is too short not to recognize…not to honestly be thankful for… the family that you have.

One of the definitions of the word ‘reunion’ is as follows: The action of being brought together again as a unified whole.

Pretty much sums it up. Don’t cha think?