Family Traditions Lost

Summer inherently means family gatherings. Being from a Southern family, our annual picnic (or reunion) was definitely a sight to see. It was planned months in advance. The women cooked sensational dishes and heavenly desserts, while the kids watched with watering mouths. Family would arrive from near and far, in our case we traveled over 700 miles.

When the day finally arrived, colorful cloths covered make-shift tables filled with (what seemed in the eyes of child) miles of covered dishes, cakes, desserts and, of course, homemade biscuits. Dinner always started with a prayer blessing the meal, those who gather together and for those who didn’t make it another year.

It wasn’t just the food that made the day special, it was also seeing favorite cousins, aunts and uncles (and for me my great-grandparents) that you hadn’t seen since the last reunion.

In the old days, the reunions were held at the family homestead. Chairs, often hand-carved and handed down through the generations, filled the yard. As time went on and people passed on, it was moved to a park. It didn’t matter. Whether the reunion was held on the family farm or a creekside park, the day was always magical with many generations gathered in one place.

Sadly the tradition of the old-fashion family reunion has been lost to the ages. I have fond memories of those yearly trips growing up. I smile thinking of those who are no longer with us, but for me are always in my heart

My great-great-grandfather and the youngest in the family at a gathering in the 1950s.