FAMILY REUNIONS-Remembering the Past

My family has always been important to me. I was very fortunate to grow up with much love from both sides of my family. My mother’s side was very verbal and affectionate in showing their love. My father’s side showed love in acts of kindness and quality time. Both sides loved to have family reunions.

One of the most special times for me was getting my aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and great aunts and great uncles to tell stories of “the old days.” I loved to ask question after question. They seemed to love to tell story after story. Therefore, I would often find myself with the adults instead of the rest of the children because I wanted to learn and to know. I liked delving into the past. I loved learning about my great grandparents and great-great grandparents. I loved those little bits someone would remember about the old country, and the nationalities we came from, and the stories of coming to America. Hearing the stories helped me to know them somehow, even though they had been gone for decades. Hearing the stories, helped me understand family patterns, and many of the relatives of the current generation. Also, I somehow wound up knowing and understanding myself even better during a time when, “who am I?” was a question with which I was constantly wrestling as I was growing up.

I was one of the oldest grandchildren, so I was able to tap the memories of those who had passed on before some of the younger grandchildren came along. Sometimes I ended up being the one who was asked the questions. It was a honor to relay the stories I had heard repeated again and again from a loved one who was now in Glory.

Just recently, I spent an hour on the phone with my youngest brother. He is 14 years my younger. I think he was at a point in time where he was seeking understanding and answers for his life. He asked me to repeat several of the stories I remembered. He even said, “Thanks Tam, that really helps me.” I am not exactly sure how, he didn’t fully divulge that. But I do know that sometimes the past, helps us understand the now and can help give direction to our future.

I think this has also been very helpful as I have raised my own children. I see family traits being passed along to them. We can celebrate the good qualities. We can also understand some of the not so good tendencies, and ask God to intervene and protect in those areas.

I don’t have grandchildren yet, but I sure have a plethora of great family stories to share with them someday. Maybe it can help them navigate life too.