Attending and Planning Family Reunions are More Important Now Than Ever Before
Family reunions were one of my favorite things growing up. A time where all of the family can get away from life for a weekend. It was great to see all of the cousins and uncles together as if they were growing up all over again. The older I got, it was sad to find most families weren’t as close. My cousins are like my brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts, mothers and fathers. It wasn’t just my extended family that attended, but everyone you can think of. Second and third cousins. Childhood friends and everything else in between. But as we get older, it’s hard to take the time to have family reunions. Or plan them. I want to take this blog post on a quick rant on why you should plan and attend all family reunions.
Family won’t always get along. In fact, more often than not, we fight. We have different political views, goals in life, and opinions on the socio-economic impact of congresses most recent bill. There is always one common factor. Something no matter how hard you wish it weren’t true, it always will be, blood. You are connected from ancestors down. And those ancestors looked out for each other for better and for worse. And you should be too. Because at the end of the day, they are going to be on your side of the battleground.
This last year has been hard on all of us. Don’t think because someone isn’t sharing everything means they have been fine through this pandemic. Humans are social creatures that strive to belong. You can’t escape that no matter who you are. Many of us never went home for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Now we are coming up on Easter and Memorial Day in the States with the slight hope of having a light at the end of the tunnel. If your family reunion didn’t happen this year, then take it on yourself to plan one. I personally just announced to my family about a trip to Vegas this summer, and I can’t tell you how many of my cousins and uncles have called me out of pure excitement to see everyone!
Family is the backbone of my life. They don’t always hold my values, but they are there to respect and back me. They are there through the good, bad, and ugly. Don’t take them for granted. Call a loved one up this weekend, or start to plan another reunion. They might need it more than you do, and you might need it more than you think.
