Special Family Time

Second cousins bonding

Last weekend, our family gathered for our fourth Family Reunion in, oh, probably 20 years.

While they have not been evenly spaced, each has been wonderful. Maybe this past was the best of all. (Of course, I felt that way after the last one too.) What a great bunch of people!

31 of us showed up, and we had a wonderful time. There were bikes and water activities for the kids. Talented women brought their craft and party skills for spontaneous events.

One spouse makes beautiful glass beads as a hobby, and brought a sampling available for purcase at modest prices.

One couple brought their incomparable pizza/salad skills.

Skilled hands make great pizza!

Dinners were organized by men’s night, women’s night, and catered night.

An uncle, for whom this was his first reunion, commented with happy surprise, “Our extended family is comprised of warm, intelligent, and supportive people...”

I would add to that, “funny” people. One of my impressions is that we laughed for three days straight.

Now the principles of respect, joy, caring, sharing, and unselfed love that brought one family together in harmony and brotherly love are universal principles. They operate impartially for the whole family of man.

Selfishness, criticism, and gossip are foes to peace, harmony, and good-will. They have no place in families, reunion plans, or gatherings of any sort.

One of my prayers in preparation for this family occasion was to honor God, the source of all good, as responsible for gathering those who would be blessed.

Can you imagine my gratitude for the harmony, spontaneity, and good-will expressed?