Why We Have Family Reunions

LANSING, IL—It’s so nice to see all of you here, from far and near, sitting around talking about all the things that have been going on.

I am sure that there is a gathering in heaven of the elders and other love ones to smile at the site of us all together; seeing all of the offspring from their daughters and sons and knowing that their legacy of the family is still going strong. We are still strong, compassionate, supportive, growing and remembering them as we move on in living our lives. It has been a while since we last gathered and some that we saw the last time we met could not make it this year. This is why we have family reunions.

Family is not just a word; it is an experience that teaches us the value of relationships in life. Actually, dealing with one’s family is like dealing with one’s own life, there are good times and bad times, there are happy moments and sad moments. In spite of all this we don’t give up on life and we should not give up on family. None of us choose our family. Some of us are family members not by blood but because we share common attitudes, interests or goals. Family is a gift from GOD to you and you are a gift to the family. The family is the link to the past and a bridge to the future. This is why we have family reunions.

This family:

Laughs and learns
Prays and protects
Apologizes and appreciates
Dreams and discovers
Fights and forgives
Teases and trust
Gives and grows
Believes and belongs
And LOVES FOREVER

This is why we have family reunions.

Not just to talk about your new house or car but to remind ourselves that we didn’t get here by ourselves. We walk a path that has been traveled by our love ones in an effort to help us have a better life. Generations pass like leaves that fall from our Family tree. Each season new life blossoms and grows benefiting from the strength and experience of those that went before. This is why we have family reunions.

I read that no one’s family is normal. Normality is a lie, invented by advertising agents to make the rest of us feel inferior. What makes us so special is the uniqueness of each one of us. I note the obvious difference in this family, some of us are very serious and some thrive on comedy. The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. This is why we have family reunions.

We the members of the family have a responsibility to tell the stories of our love ones that have gone on before and to meet the new ones that are already here or have just arrived. You will do yourself a dis- service and miss the purpose of your trip if you leave here not knowing a new member of this family that you have not made acquaintance with. We need to know one another and support one another make a phone call once a month or week to a family member to see how they are doing and to let them know that you were thinking about them. Don’t wait until next time for it may never come, exchange numbers and address now and stay connected. Never give up on family no matter how tempting they make it. We are not here because we have been perfect people but because we were taught to love one another and GOD predetermined that this family needed us and we needed them. This is why we have family reunions.

So I charge each and every one of you to commit to doing their part to keep this gathering going. Not because of but in spite of the numbers that come. Those that are not here are not here just because they don’t want to be, so pray for them and you come and stand in the gap to represent the family. Each and every one of you bring something special to the family; there are many who have families that never get together and don’t know who their other family members are. They have no sense of the patch quilt of life they are connected with, and some would love to have what we have. This is why we have family reunions.

I didn’t mention all the family members’ names or tell any special stories about them, that is why we have family reunions so that we can share those things with one another. We all have purpose in life and we all have stories to tell. We all need family, we all need to be reminded that we are loved not just by the family that we see every day but from the family that is far away. We are all proud of where we come from and have the support, prayers and hope of each family member in whatever they see their destiny to be. Family is essential because we all yearn to feel like we belong to something greater than ourselves.

Please stand to your feet and turn to someone that you don’t know and introduce yourself and tell them glad to see you family. Each of you is the reason why we have family reunions.

Welcome to the family reunion.