F is for Family

Although I grew up in a nuclear family of two kids, a mom and a dad. I was exposed to quite a clan of family. My father was the 8th boy and the 12th of 13 children. They were reared in a small southeastern Oklahoma town. By 1959, the children were grown and began organizing family reunions every two years. So, ever since I can remember, every two years our family loaded up the car and took our family vacation to see the clan. Each of the uncles or aunts had multiple children so there were at least 60 primary family members and a host of older generation relatives and friends who joined the group. This number at one time grew to over 125 people once cousins married and began having children. I grew up knowing the names, ages and interests of all of my many cousins. Of course I developed close relationships with those who were within two-three years of my own age. We all grew up with a love of extended family and an appreciation for the uniqueness of the gift our parents had given us. We had another reunion this June. Some of the aunts and uncles have passed away, some are in poor health. The reunion leadership torch has been passed to our generation and a third generation of cousins from infants to young adults still have the opportunity to experience what our generation had when we were young. We still have dress-up nights, catered BBQs and the traditional family Bingo night with white elephant gifts. It is so important for our generation to keep the tradition alive.

So on this day, I remember my family. My prayers are for two uncles and my own father who are in poor health. F is for Family...it is also for Forging the Future for the next generation.


Abundance is...looking at old photos, remembering the good times. Forgiving the mistakes. Thanking God for the people He has brought into your life."
(Candy Paull, The Art of Abundance)