by Hazel Angela B. Javier
My fondest memory of our annual Christmas family reunion dates back to when I was a small girl. I sang Pocahontas’ “Colors of the Wind,” to all the relatives, dressed in a leather-like costume. It was a time of joy and togetherness.
Not everything about family reunions is easy, however. There are lots of challenges involved.
Reunions are challenging.
Reunions are challenging for both the organizer and the family. On the practical side, you have to find a common date when almost everyone is available. Some of our relatives come from abroad so we set the date plenty of time in advance. Then, we have the venue, activities, and food to think about. What will be suitable for our 90-year old grandmother that will not be boring for our youngsters?
Finally, we have to think about finances. How much are we spending for travel for the family and for the event itself? How much can each family afford? Sometimes, when there are members of the family who cannot afford to participate, well off relatives sponsor them.
Even more challenging than the practical aspects are the internal challenges, like the generation gap. How can we encourage young ones to spend time with the older members of the family? Additionally, the financial status of members of our family varies. Then there are relatives that are more difficult to please and they easily get offended. In a Filipino setting, everyone will hear about it when someone gets offended. In fact, news about people getting offended spreads faster than when they are happy and satisfied.
Reunions are important.
So we ask, what’s in it for me? No matter how numerous the challenges reunions bring, there are many more reasons to keep attending family reunions than there are to stop them. A friend describes it well, “Your family is like an oasis in a desertland.” It is during these reunions that we remember we are linked to people who care about our welfare and who we likewise want the best for. Our foundation is revealed as we attend reunions—the values of honoring the elderly and upholding close family ties.
In an article published in USA’s Today’s Christian Woman, entitled, “Why Kids Need Family Reunions,” it says, “…family reunions are once again becoming a popular way to discover ancestral roots and pass on a legacy of faith.”
My friend in church shared with me that one time, their reunion even became a venue for reconciliation and forgiveness.
It is important for us as followers of Christ to share God’s goodness, by casually recounting our experiences and testimonies to a cousin or an aunt or whoever we have the opportunity to talk to. We can start by praying, way before the event actually happens, for the event and for relatives that we know are difficult to get along with. It is important to keep in mind the objective of the event.
Let’s keep fighting for them.
With the increase in internet technology, there is an even greater chance to connect with long-lost family members through various social media channels. The essence of reunions, after all, is in the value of remembrance. Just like Moses reminded the Israelites in the Bible to recite and recall all the great things God had done for them, it is the same for our families of today. Let’s keep the family stories coming and make more memories. Christmas or not, let us remember to always enjoy the blessing of family, and to thank God who binds us into His bigger family.
