Tonight I am grateful for family. Of the many themes I’ve written about over these 700-plus days of writing, family ranks near the top among those about which I’ve written the most. Often I have written of my love and deep appreciation for my siblings and their partners, my children, and my parents who, though they are no longer a physical presence in my life are never far from my thoughts. Tonight, though, I want to write a little about my extended family, some of whom I am connecting with for the first time at a family reunion this weekend.
The theme of the reunion is, “Reconnect, Embrace, Flourish,” and the hope and expectation of the organizing committee is that we spend this weekend at the very least reconnecting (or for some of us connecting for the first time) and embracing. I suppose the flourishing will follow the first two. We participated in first official event this evening, meeting dozens of folks of all ages and learning a little of our history and connections to the family. The majority of the 75-plus people in the room were descended from one of ten children born to two former slaves who were my great-great grandparents. My sister Sandy and I are beginning to learn more and piece together various elements of our family story with the help of our cousin John, who like us is a of the descendants of one of the 10. It has been a fascinating journey.
From the time I was a child and was old enough to begin to think more deeply about family stuff, I used to pester my grandfather for stories of our people. I had always thought I would write a book about him and all our family some day. Somewhere along the line life intervened and I never started nor finished it. I remain determined that I am going to do it and continue to work doggedly yet inconsistently on our family tree. Participating in this reunion and “reconnecting” with several of my cousins is adding fuel to this interest and determination. I have the will, now I have to find the way.
It has been a long day (nearly midnight now) so I will sign off. I am grateful to be making connections with family members whom I have not met. Of the dozens of people at this reunion, I’ve met only two of them. I am looking forward to getting to know them better and many others of this large, enthusiastic, wonderful family. I am part of them, they are part of me. I am excited to continue hearing the stories of our family lines and the various intersections at which we all meet. More to come…
Chamblee Family Reunion Banner
