Twenty years ago, when Dad was diagnosed with leukemia, my
siblings and I had long since left the nest and had scattered all over the
country. With an eye on time, we didn’t want to waste any of the precious
moments we had left with him, so we booked a couple houses on the Outer Banks in
North Carolina and experienced our first family reunion. The beach in Destin
followed two summers later and we converged on the gulf shores of Alabama a few
years after that.
Since then, we’ve kept up the tradition, gathering every
other summer in various locations across the country like the mountains in New
Hampshire or Utah’s Lake Powel. Sadly, we lost Dad several years ago and Mom
has since followed. Our beloved brother, Tim, joined them in heaven three
springs ago. 
But my parents’ legacy to us all is the abiding love they left behind. My sibs and I still get together as often as possible. Every
time we do, the time apart drops away beneath the laughter and fellowship of
people with diverse lives who genuinely like each other.
This summer was no
different, although we were missing a few faces as we gathered this past week in Branson, MO. We spent the days racing across the lake on tubes, eating too much and sipping adult beverages as the next generation got to know their cousins a little better. As usual, our time together passed too quickly. This
morning, we said our teary-eyed goodbyes and went on our separate ways. I’m literally on the road travelling home at the moment, rejuvenated by the time spent with my sisters and
brothers, nieces and nephews and all the grands that have sprouted throughout
the family, and already looking forward to the next time we’ll be together —
which will include a wedding. Congratulate me. I’m getting a new
daughter-in-law!
More on that later, but for now, what about you? Have you
and your families discovered the joy of reunions and what locations do you like
to visit when you gather?
When Mac isn’t spending
time with her beloved family, she stays busy weaving HEAs for her characters,
like the latest in her Players series, Wyatt and Piper from TO WIN HER SMILE,
now available via KensingtonBooks
9 comments:
What a lovely tradition, Mac! That's what it's all about, isn't it? Congratulations on the upcoming wedding in your family! Gaining a daughter is a wonderful thing. :-)
We don't have any traditions like that, but we do try to make a road trip every couple of years to visit our friends and family up north. I'd love to try the beach house sometime!
I envy your family reunions. My brother and sister are only a couple of hours away so we see each other often. We have Christmas and Mom's birthday at the very least where we come together with children and grandchildren. But I'd love a family reunion with aunts and uncles and cousins every couple of years. And I'm sure you'll clue us in on the wedding?
My dad's extended family gets together every five years or so. I remember enjoying those family reunions with great-aunts and uncles, second cousins and cousins once removed when I was a kid. The oldest generation is all gone now, and we've lost more in my parents' generation, including my dad. I missed the reunion this year. It's never easy to get a large group together. I'm glad you enjoyed your reunion!
What a great tradition. When Mom was alive, we always saw each other at her place for holidays. We all have our families and time goes by. This spring/summer, We've had 2 showers (wedding & baby) plus a wedding and it's been great seeing the sibs, nieces & nephews plus their kids. I'm so glad we've had this opportunity. Better than gathering for a funeral.
Great tradition, Mac. When I was growing up we had family holidays--my grandmother was one of eleven so it was a really big family reunion once a year. I'm sorry my daughter hasn't had that; the cousins are scattered all over and we've all lost touch, and now it's just my brother and me. We used to go away together over Xmas with the kids but that, too, has sadly stopped. Congrats on the forthcoming nuptials!
Mac! Our families are twins...our story is the same as yours. Tomorrow begins our big fun time in Deep Creek, Maryland, with 20 people showing up. Like you, we try to meet in cool new places across the country. Next year...Portland or Bend, Oregon. Long live family reunions!
Thanks all. We've stopped for the night in Amarillo and still have a few days of travel planned. Our parents began this tradition when we were kids and got my sibs and I hooked on the fun of our extended family. They made sure we went to Queens every summer where Dad's family all live and we made a few trips to St. Louis to Mom's family. Both of them were from large families and there were eight of us and dozens of cousins on both sides. Those trips spent running wild with our cousins while the grownups sat around the patio are some of my best memories from childhood and I enjoyed watching my G'girl experience the same this past week. I love being able to pass on such a great tradition.
And LOL Rolynn. They're a blast, aren't they? Safe travels, sweetie!
Just left RWA National in 90-100 degree temps. Family get together later for a wedding. We did the reunion with hubs side a couple of weeks ago. Busy summer! Enjoy all.
What a wonderful tradition! So sad that some faces were missing, but I know they were there in spirit. I see my siblings often, but not really often enough, considering they live so close. Thanks for sharing about your lovely gathering!
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