Posted on 03/22/2010 7:11:37 PM PDT by cradle of freedom
Some years ago a read an article in a woman's magazine concerning a large extended family that held family reunions every year. The number of attendents were in the hundreds and included many distant cousins.
It seems like family reunions could have a great value to society. Family is the original form of "networking". Having a large extended family or clan provides many levels of support for the individual and nuclear family. These large family networks can provide spiritual and emotional support as well as practical support in helping members with their finances or in job hunting.
Today American families are often spread out throughout the country so that family support may not be there but family reunions can be a way to bring families together to strengthen family ties.
I love our family reunions.
Last one five years ago: 78 people and since then more grandchildren and now some great grandchildren.
This maybe true for all family members except the ones who host the party. I know. I host a family reunion every year. I’m too busy organizing before and during the reunion to enjoy it!
....my family held what I thought was a unique reunion...
one year it was all male cousins and uncles....we managed 82 people..*smiles*...then two years later it was the cousins and aunts...
Do you rent a hall or do you have the reunion at your house?
My step-dads reunion used to be held at one of the families’ homes. It got to be too much, so they decided to hold the event at a state park each year. It’s been great! We elect a planning committee each year to secure a state park for three years out. Much more relaxing for everyone.
The family in the magazine story that I read also had some land that they would use as a meeting place for their reunion.
Excellent point!
You also mentioned genealogy. I think that understanding your family history -- and not just the names -- gives you a better appreciation of who you are and, more importantly, the blessings you have. I know that many of my ancestors took huge risks and endured many hardships. As a result, I have the life I have today.
Genealogy as well as knowing some of your family history gives you a great sense of continuity with the past. For instance some times I look at my house and realize that some of the money used to build our house came from family property that had been sold years ago. Sometimes I wonder how many generations have contributed to the house that I call home. The money that went into building our house represents the work and sacrifice of many generations who worked and passed land onto their children.
Knowing our family history sure gives us a sense of appreciation for all we have today. Each generation stands of the shoulders of the previous generation.
This sounds like the stuff that makes great memories.
I have thought the same thing concerning some of the things I have. It motivates me to want to provide for my children. More importantly, I want to teach them the heritage of "passing it on", as well as the skills to be a good steward of a family blessing.
My family has family reunions every few years at a state park, also.
I joined ancestry.com for a time. Great organization. It really does work- and not too expensive!
I was able to establish a large family tree with info they provided. Very interesting and lots of fun.
I met my wife at a family reunion!
but then I’m from Louisville
I have a couple of huge family tree files of over 40,000 people each.
Doing genealogy research and finding the places your ancestors lived is enormously rewarding. It can tell you so much about who you are and why you are the way you are. We’re not just the result of our upbringing; genes are important too. And seeing how our ancestors dealt with war, depression, famine, etc. is genuinely inspiring. I have never met a thoughtful person who wasn’t fascinated and moved by the results of such study.
Wow. Lot of people.
People are going to sign the blasted Census, if only for genealogical purposes. And then, *gotcha*. You’ve just signed on to CommieCare, where they will track you for life.
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