Greetings to all Hivers!
Last Sunday was one of the most special moments for our family because we celebrated our family reunion for three wonderful days. It was not just a gathering, but a time to reconnect, laugh together, and create memories that we will treasure for years. Our reunion had three parts: the arrival day, reflection night, and the main program.
The first day was the arrival of our relatives. My mother’s side of the family came from different places, and some of them needed to travel for 12 hours while others spent 18 hours on the road just to reach our home in the mountains. Because of the long travel, we decided to let them rest first when they arrived. Everyone looked tired but happy. Even before unpacking their bags, hugs and smiles were already everywhere. It felt good seeing family members who we had not seen for a long time.
The second day was the reflection night. Since we live in a mountain area where the weather becomes very cold at night, I suggested during the planning that everyone should bring tents. As one of the youngest siblings and part of the committee, I wanted to make the night memorable. We prepared a bonfire and formed a big circle with all the cousins and grandchildren around the fire. It became one of the best parts of the reunion.
We shared stories about life, dreams, struggles, and what we look forward to every reunion. The eldest among the cousins started the reflection, and it touched everyone deeply. Some cried, some laughed, and some simply listened while smiling. Many of us felt refreshed after hearing each other’s stories. Since we only gather once in a while because we live far from one another, that moment felt very meaningful.
Our elders were busy enjoying the videokey, singing their favorite songs, so some of them did not join the reflection circle. They were also enjoying the warmth inside because the weather was too cold outside. Still, everyone had their own way of enjoying the night.
My mother’s side of the family is big. My mom is the only girl among ten siblings, truly the only rose among the thorns. She is the eighth child in the family. Most of her brothers became soldiers, which is why many of them were assigned to faraway places. They built their own families there, and that is one reason why our relatives now live in different areas.
The third day was the main program. It was simple, genuine, and full of joy. We did not require color coded shirts because the weather was cold, and most people preferred wearing jackets. What mattered most was not matching clothes, but being complete and happy together. We started a small meeting, welcome message, Bible service to Glorify and blessed our family and blessing we receive and after that we have a parlor games and picture taking.
Of course, no reunion is complete without food. We prepared a pica-pica area filled with snacks for two days so anyone who felt hungry or tired could simply grab something to eat anytime. It kept everyone energized and smiling. My brother is in charge cooking, assisted also with one of my brothers Because they are best in cooking and we have a lechon that’s the highlight of all the food we prepared.
Family reunions remind us that even if there are misunderstandings, busy schedules, or distance between homes, family remains family. Sometimes, being far apart makes people miss and appreciate each other more. I realized that love becomes stronger when people choose to come together again.
Thank you for reading. I will share the reunion preparation photos in my next blog. These are my own pictures edited in Canva. Have a nice day!