Family Reunion
First, I want to say thanks to Carly for switching days with me. Mondays were becoming really difficult…now that I’m in my own house again and am doing different things on weekends, I was finding myself scrambling on Sunday nights to come up with something for the next day.
Yesterday would have been especially difficult because we had our first official party at my new house on Sunday! I had such a ball welcoming my two “local” sisters & their families here and repaying some of the marvelous hospitality they’ve shown us for such a long time. Plus, my father & stepmother were in town, as were my sister from Florida, her hubby & their two kids. My brother & his wife and my nephew came over from D.C. So yes, we had a houseful. Add some friends to the mix and we were a group of well over twenty.
Bruce did most of the hard work by cooking a fabulous pulled pork & ribs dinner in the smoker in the backyard. We had a ton of food and lots of beer and wine and just loads of fun. And we spent part of the day doing something you probably wouldn’t expect at a backyard bbq…we watched home movies.
You see, for several years, we’ve been having family reunions, but they’ve been kind of sporadic. There haven’t been too many when we’ve all been together. (In case you haven’t realized it, I have a very big family. Four older sisters & a younger brother. There are, of course, in-laws, plus 13 grandkids and 1 great-grandkid. And I’m not even going to talk about the aunts uncles & cousins…these reunions are just for the immediate “Smith” family.)
Anyway, at these reunions, the grandchildren have gotten into the habit of doing talent shows. Usually Broadway-based talent shows (since I used to be the director and now my girls have taken over the job.) But since they’re all older now, and didn’t have time to put something together this year, we made do watching the videos of previous ones.
They were just wonderful…but wow. Talk about getting smacked in the head with the passage of time. As we watched these movies, some with my youngest toddling around at age 1, and my other two daughters just beautiful little girls, I couldn’t help looking around the room at the faces, realizing just how much they’ve changed. My girls are all teens now, one really an adult. My nephew, the cute, funny little boy on the video was sitting next to me, 6’2, muscular, handsome…and asking his Mom if he had ADHD when he was little and she just never told him.
The adults had all changed, too…weight lost (or gained). Hair lost (not gained.) More wrinkles, more of us. And a few less of us…which made for a few poignant moments.
One thing was the same: the smiles. And the laughter of those of us watching the videos sounded just like the laughter on them.
Believe it or not, we get to do this all over again in a week’s time. You see, the sister from Florida is leaving on Saturday…and my eldest sister & her sons are coming to visit from Africa next Sunday! Talk about your lousy timing for those two sisters, but I, for one, am very excited. I think this one is going to rank as the longest-running family reunion we’ve ever had.
They’re loud and expensive and crowded and insane…but I wouldn’t trade these get-togethers for the world. Honestly, my family is utterly amazing and just so much darn fun. We all actually like being together.
As I was forcibly reminded by the home movies, we’re all getting older. We already know firsthand about loss because of the death of my Mom so many years ago…and that loss has left us all with a genuine appreciation of every wonderful moment we have with the people we love. Because there might not be a next one. Which makes these group moments…and those lovely home videos…even more wonderful.
Anybody else here do the family reunion thing? Are they wonderful for you…or stressful? Any traditions that have continued from year to year?
How fun, Leslie. I bet it’s funny and sad to watch those old movies, and that you all share many wonderful memories. One of my closest friends, her family does that, they put on talent shows and tape every holiday. I’ve been in at least one of their videos. I’t s so much fun.
My family on the other hand - totally the opposite. We’re not really close at all. But you know, when you grow up like that, I can’t say that I miss it a lot cuz I don’t know what that’s like. I know it seems strange, but it’s just the way things are. I’ve got a lot of great friends to make up for it
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 14, 2007 @ 6:19 am
Our family has a yearly family reunion. A very large family tree is hung up and family members update it with births, deaths marriages and divorces. It is potluck, so there are varied food items and we all eat too much.
Comment by Estella — August 14, 2007 @ 7:35 am
Leslie, sounds like a great time was had by all.
My family is pretty small. My mother is an only child. My father’s family is all in Canada. We do get together for birthdays and holidays with my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, and their 2 daughters. I really look forward to those occasions.
Comment by Carolyn A. — August 14, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Stacy- I’m like you. My family is small, my parents seperated when I was little so I didn’t really have a lot of those big “family” things. I think they’re great for families that enjoy being together, but I’m so used to be on my own, and not used to crowds, that when hubby’s family forces it, it’s very stressful for me.
Leslie - was it fun to try to figure out the boys just by their voices - before they changed? My youngest had some videos out the other day and I kept trying to figure out who the child was talking. Then I realized it’s my oldest, before his voice became veeerrryyy deep.
Comment by Jodie — August 14, 2007 @ 8:36 am
We do a twice yearly family reunions/party with my mom’s rellies. One for a Father’s Day/first half of the year birthdays family bbq and the other in the fall for the last half of the year birthdays bbq. We do this because most of us grandkids are either married or together with someone so we have to work in time with the rellies (we do do every other Christmas/Thanksgiving for those who can make it, too…one year Christmas, next Thanksgiving).
As far as my brothers and I, we are not really close anymore. My oldest and I are probably the closest of any of the siblings (we email a lot), but he’s kinda irritating me at the moment
. One of my brothers doesn’t email/call/talk to anyone (he lives on the East Coast and that’s just how he is) and my other brother has a lot of family issues that has caused him to drift from the rest of the sibs (it’s kinda hard to communicate with someone who is married to someone who hates the rest of your family). We’re also so spread out across the country. We never get together anymore.
Family is important to me and I want my boys to be somewhat close, mainly because of my oldest’s autism. I am not going to live forever as I have realized this year and the other two are going to have to help him out someday. That sounds really strange.
Comment by katie — August 14, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Well, it’s only mom, my idiot brother, my daughter and me, so that group only gets together when mom visits or we visit her. My dad’s family has dropped off the radar since he died. oh, well.
Hubby and his family get together when ever we can- 4 kids, 3 married with kids, so it can be insane. If you add in BIL family on Memorial Day weekend it does get stressful- everyone sits separated by him and hubby’s oldest daughter. Very weird dynamics.
We used to have huge reunions when we were younger and dad was alive. He came from a very big family- one of 13. The last time we got together was for his funeral. It was amazing how many cousins came in from all over the country, just for him. :cry:
Are you telling us you have that new place unpacked already? 10 years later I am still working on it.
Comment by ev — August 14, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Wow, Leslie–that sounds like a crazy wonderful time! Our family gatherings are not quite as big or as probably as fun
It is probably time for us to arrange another, and do some more family photos (the last ones were taken a couple years ago, and my baby was literally a baby!)… Time sure does have a way of continuing to sneak forward!
Comment by Fedora — August 14, 2007 @ 10:31 am
I’m actually leaving Friday for mine. We all meet up at my brother’s cabin on a lake in Idaho and play with his toys (boat, jet skis, atvs). I think it’s important for my son. With me the only kid in California and hubby an only child, this is the one opportunity for my son to see he’s got a ton of aunts, uncles and cousins out there.
As for me, this will be my first trip back as a published author where everyone’s had a peek at my first Blaze. Though a couple sisters have been exceptionally supportive, I’m bracing myself after getting a few cracks from mom about writing “porn”. (Funny how people manage to dismiss 250 pages of plot for those 20-30 pages of love scenes.)
So I’ve been practicing your line, “Don’t you like sex?” LOL! If that doesn’t work I’ll resort to, “It’s a shame you didn’t raise me better” and if that doesn’t work, there’s always :biteme:
Ahhhh family. Gotta love ‘em.
Comment by Lori Borrill — August 14, 2007 @ 10:56 am
I am the oldest of six. Three girls and three boys born within an eight year span. When we were young adults, we lived close togethe and the reunions were more frequent. Now that we are spread from Miami to San Diego, it is harder. Our kids love seeing the cousins.
Likewise, my husband comes from a family of eight siblings. They love reunions.
Comment by Phyllis Lamken — August 14, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Lori…lol on getting ready to answer those questions! I, on the other hand, get into in-depth discussions on my books with my 74 year old father!!! Oy!
Comment by Leslie — August 14, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I had 17 people in my house for three days this summer. That was stressful and fun. We have a yearly family reunion over Labor Day weekend. We usually have 120-150 people there. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from reunion.
Comment by mary beth — August 14, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Wow, Leslie sounds like fun.
My mom has 4 children+spouse, 11 grandchildren, 2 nephews ( who are practically adopted since their mom passed away). We celebrate every birthday & holiday together, which pretty much means we get together at least 3 times a month. And this is just my mom’s side of the family, when you add the few from my dad’s family that we still associate with, then my stepdad’s family, and our inlaws, we are always with family….and I love every minute of it!! Alright…almost every minute
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 14, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Lori, just go straight to :biteme:
Kidding! I think your answers are perfect.
My family, which for the most part lives within a five mile radius of each other, has a family reunion with the cousins on my mother’s side every September. For the most part, our family hangs out together and their family hangs out together. Only the older generation mixes well. It’s not that we don’t get a long, but we just know our side better, I guess. Of course, our side uses any excuse to throw a party. I see my brothers, their wives and kids as often as I can.
Les, sounds like you had a blast. We used to do the talent shows, too, when we were kids, but the new generation hasn’t picked up on that yet. Maybe this year!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 14, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
My mom’s mom’s side of the family has a reunion every year. We had #31 last month. My grandmother was 1 of 8 kids so it’s usually a pretty big group. Pictures, stories, food (lots of food)…it’s a good time.
My dad’s mom’s side used to get together every few years, but it’s probably been 15 years (or more) since we had a “wing-wang”.
Comment by Julie — August 14, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
LOL Julie!
And Les, my dad (79) read Private Confessions–twice!! No philosophical discussions, though, thankfully!
Comment by Lori Borrill — August 14, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
On my mom’s side of the family, we might all be together once a year. It’s gotten harder as all the kids are living anywhere for KY to FL and once of my cousins goes back to Iraq in a couple of weeks. Luckily, we did all get to see each other this summer.
On my dad’s side of the family(all the aunts and uncles) we get together with everyone at least once a year and ususally 2-3 times. Our big gathering is about 2 weeks before Chirstmas. We eat, drink, visit, eat and drink some more, and pretty much get as much time with each other as possible in one day. We do have the big reunion in the summer with all the distant cousins, but not everyone makes that trip.
Comment by Liza — August 14, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Leslie, it sounds like a grand time. My family on my mom’s side used to get together about every 5 years to celebrate Grandma’s birthday in August, I think it started when she turned 70. There were uncles, aunts, cousins etc. and just for fun sometime close family friends also came. The last get together was for Grandma’s 100th birthday in 1996. Since then we have lost most of the older generation & the cousins are scattered all over several western states, Washington, Montana, Oregon, California most of us have adult children & some of us now have grandchildren & we don’t get together! It is really a shame but some of the younger people, the children of the cousins, don’t seem to have an interest in keeping up with family. We used to get together in Bend, Oregon where Grandma lived & one of her sons was also there & had a nice house with a great party room. We had so much fun & I love looking at the photographs from those get togethers. Such good memories. Thanks for the reminder.
Over the weekend I read Overexposed. Wow, Leslie, what a great read. I loved it, it was HOT! People if you don’t have a copy of Leslie’s book Overexposed get one soon & don’t bury it in your TBR pile.
Comment by Donna M — August 14, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
By the way, if anyone wants to adopt me as a sibling, I am in total need of one.
Comment by katie — August 14, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
I have three sisters who all live near me not to mention my parents plus many nieces and nephews. We all get together regularly. So when all the relatives come from out of town it’s like a convention. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Leslie-I just finished reading Overexposed and all I have to say is HOLY CANNOLI!!! Now I know where that recent heat wave came from on the East coast.
Comment by Carol R — August 14, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
I’m seeing a theme with the big “extended” family reunions, which is that the grandkids/cousins don’t seem to keep up with things once the older generation isn’t there. I SO hope this doesn’t happen with my kids and their cousins. And I have to say, at least with that generation, I don’t think it will. They are all so very close…the nephew we were living with greets my daughters with big “I miss my little sisters!” hugs every single time he sees them.
Comment by Leslie — August 14, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Katie…I have lots of them. What’s one more? Feel free to call yourself a Smith Girl at your leisure.
Comment by Leslie — August 14, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Donna & Carol–thanks so much! I’m excited that people are finding & reading that book already. It got some nice exposure in this week’s eHarlequin newsletter.
I so hope it does well…I could really use a hit!
Comment by Leslie — August 14, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
PS: lol Carol on Holy CANNOLI.
Didja like that scene? Any wonder now why my hubby brought home a case of them from Philadelphia? lolol!
Comment by Leslie — August 14, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Leslie, I LOVED Overexposed!!! I think I might have to go buy another copy…mine almost burned up in my hands during the canolli scene. I have a friend with a birthday later this month…I know she will love Overexposed.
Comment by Liza — August 14, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Leslie…it sounds like you guys all had a lot of fun…I could actually picture you guys partying and watching home videos…personally, I have never had or attended a family reunion…it would be a bash though because my maternal grandfather had 19 kids…mostly twins, and they have kids…my dad’s side was small, but their number is well over 20 as well…I would love to have one of those get togethers…I was actually thinking about how much fun I will have next weekend, seeing some of my fam that I haven’t seen in years…my aunt is celebrating her 59th bday…was Sunday passed, but it seems that this sunday coming up is a better time for everyone to get together…I am glad you had a lot of fun…hey another moment/experience you can infuse into your books…
Comment by Paula R. — August 14, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
OK - Have I missed something with Overexposed? Is it out already?
Great news!!!
We just got back from Duke. Apparently they were able to get more of the tumor than we had originally been told and they are so confident and comfortable that they aren’t recommending any chemo or other therapy right now. They’re just going to “watch it”. I keep saying they’re going to “watch it disapper completely!” Anyway, just wanted to share! Thanks everyone for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers over the past several weeks. I’m convinced that’s why this has all gone soooo well!!!
Tina - thanks so much for the nice messages! They’ve made me smile when I’ve needed them the most!!!
Comment by Jodie — August 14, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Your family reunion sounds wonderful.
Guess that house is officially a home now.
Comment by Jeannie — August 14, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Jodie that is FANTASTIC news! I am so glad to hear it!!! Congrats to you and many more well wishes for your hubby!
Comment by Leslie — August 14, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Jodi
that’s wonderful news - lots of good thoughts your way! My “family” reunions mainly consist of getting together with friends I haven’t seen in forever or just close family. My one side is well, holidays are always interesting… 
Comment by Yolanda — August 14, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Leslie: Thanks for adopting me. I never had a sister. I have three stupid older brothers! I would love to slide down the hill in the snow!
My boys would love it, too….We have an innertube thingie, I’ll bring this winter!:thumbsup2:
Comment by katie — August 14, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Oh Jodie that is wonderful news!!!!! I’m doing a happy dance for you right now!!!!!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 14, 2007 @ 10:51 pm