We Are (Extended) Family

We have family reunions on my dad’s side at least three or four times a year. Not everyone can attend, but there is a date, time, and location on the calendar for family get togethers. My friends find these frequent reunions unusual, but wish their families did that too. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how import these events are. I’m so thankful for them, because there was a time we hardly saw my extended family. So how did this tradition start? Let’s go back to the beginning.

My dad is the youngest of four brothers. Growing up, I remember visiting my grandmother once a year, and the rest of the family occasionally showed up. My uncle Lane, his wife Lela, and their children lived in town, so I got to see three of my eight cousins once a year, maybe twice. My other five cousins I saw occasionally, so looking back we weren’t that close. My grandmother passed away in 1999, so the sons divided up the estate and went their separate ways. 

Flash forward to November 2000. My uncle Shade had stored some of my grandmother’s furniture for his nephew. Shade and his son Keith decided to deliver this furniture to Lane the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Their destination was my aunt Lela’s mother’s house, because that’s where their family was spending Thanksgiving. Since two of my dad’s brothers and most of their families were going to be together, my dad decided we would all go—my mom, my dad, my husband, my two children (ages almost three years and three weeks), and I packed into a car for the visit.

We had so much fun talking and laughing and hearing stories, many for the first time. I hadn’t realized how interesting and enjoyable my extended family was. We quickly realized we wanted to get together again and made plans for the following Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2001. 

As the years progressed, our reunions started earlier and ended later. Currently, we start the Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving and end Sunday morning, after a big breakfast, family photos, and tearful goodbyes. We’ve added more “reunions” throughout the year because we just can’t get enough of each other.

My children have grown up with these reunions, having attended the inaugural one over twenty years ago. As with most kids, they think this is normal to see extended family several times a year. They expect it and look forward to it. They’re usually too busy to attend the mini reunions, but they always make a point to hit the Thanksgiving event, the one that started it all.

Because of COVID-19 we had to postpone the reunion six months. We loved having that extra day so much that we voted to add an official second reunion every Memorial Weekend. I was elected at yet another mini reunion to be the coordinator. Words can’t express the joy and pride I feel to coordinate this important family event.

My dad’s oldest brother passed away a few years ago. His family is scattered around the country and cannot make most of the family events. They’ve hit a few and we had a great time, but their scattershot attendance hasn’t bonded them to the gatherings like the rest of us. Extended family is a blessing not everyone enjoys, and I’m thankful God has given me these precious memories and moments with our multiple generations.

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Jann Goar Franklin graduated Russellville High School in 1985 and lives in Grand Cane, Louisiana. She also writes books, which are for sale at www.jannfranklin.com.

You can reach her at jann@jannfranklin.com