A Post Pandemic Family Reunion
Family is the most important thing in the world. Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. My greatest pleasure is spending time with my family.
Because of Covid, getting together with family, along with many other families around the globe, was very much delayed. Ours made even longer since I was in Australia without a way to leave for about two years. Even when I got back to the USA, being with each other didn’t happen right away as restrictions or illness prevented us.
After many emails, phone calls, and messages back and forth, we decided on a Saturday in the middle of August to be together here at the house. Mom and Dad’s house, where so many family get togethers have been in the past. So many memories. Now we’re making new memories for the young family members.
In fact, so new, it turned out that our little ones here wanted to know how they were related to the names they had been hearing since the planning began. I had never been very good at “cousinhood” to be honest. I never understand 1st cousin once removed, or any of that. So with the internet right at hand, I began to identify who is who for the children.
I started with downloading a chart and then adding all the names of cousins, aunts, and uncles and so on. The children were glad to learn about family and we started to write in names in all the right spaces until we had it all filled in.
As if we even needed a conversation starter, this was a great piece of paper to share around when everyone arrived. We all got a kick of seeing what relation we were to whom.
We got a surprise, as we were told Eli couldn’t make it. He is one of the triplets from my cousin, Tanya.
As the day came to a close, I was so grateful for the history of hospitality my parents’ house had. Everyone seemed at home, comfortable and happy. We ate well, also a part of this household’s legacy. I am so thankful for family and every contribution, we had most able to come, what a true blessing for all of us.
Let’s see if we can do it again for the holidays!
