Past Ramblings
Breakfast at Grandmas
Strong Foundations
Grandpa In The Garden
Family Reunions
Halloween
Saturday Nights
After Sitka
The Gift

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."Is that Sherry, I can't believe it, it's Sherry," my Aunt Estell says, turning to a group of young people following her, of whom, I assume, are her great-grandkids.  "Everyone come look, it's Sherry," she says again, just for good measure. 

I was  just glad she knew me, and, that she didn't call me Annie.  Annie was my mom, her sister, who passed away over twenty years ago.  The last few times I'd been to see Aunt Estell, she'd thought I was Mama at first and that was many years ago.  With it having been so long since I'd see her, I've been worried about her remembering me at all.

At long last I'd made it to the family reunion.  First time in, oh, I don't even want to think about how many years, but as more and more familiar faces gathered on the scene, a warmness spread through.  I was really home. 

Judy, my cousin, comes up to greet me and a flood of warm memories gather in the back of my mind and I feel tears leak from the corner of my eyes as we hug.  Turning, she introduces me to her now, grown kids, and her grandbabies.  Eagerly, I pull out my billfold to share mine.

Strange faces come up, hoping for recognition and I struggle to pull the connection hidden somewhere in the back of my memory.  Pretending to know them anyway, I hug their neck.

So many faces, so many memories, so glad to be here. 

Family reunions are important.  It's only one day out of our lives in a year, but it's a day that gives us balance. Gives us connection. 

I'd lived away so long, that I needed this, perhaps, moreso than many.  I needed it to remind me where I came from.

And so, I spent the day reacquainting myself with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins that I hadn't seen in many years, as well as many that I'd never seen.  I also noticed missing faces and received the belated news of their passing. 

Through it all, I'm reminded that this is what is called the circle of life. I had one son with me, with his wife and baby.  I was glad that my daughter-in-law was able to meet my family.  This would give her roots.  I wish my other son and daughter and their families had been able to come. 

Sadly, there were often faces missing that when asked about all went quiet.  Soft comments about "not see them much these days" told me that like my family there had been strife.  That's the way life goes.  But, reunions go far in reminding me that in the end, family is all you have.  It's where you came from, and it's where you're going.

They say blood runs thicker than water.  I wonder sometimes if what they meant was that as water renews the body, blood renews the spirit.  So it is with a family reunion.  Seeing all the blood relatives give you a feeling of renewal, kind of like being reminded that no matter how alone you may feel, that you have many others that share your genes, your spirit, and your past.
Copyright by: Sharon L. Romine March 1993