My dad’s side of the family is quite large to say the least. My Grandma (Big Momma) and Grandpa (Big Daddy) had 13 children, my dad being the oldest. Even still, people find it hard to believe I have 64 first cousins the last I counted. I could not name them all if asked, most of us are based out of El Campo Texas and the rest are all over. Some in California, Georgia, Nevada… the list goes on.
My dad moved to Las Vegas when I was 16, but before that, he was the one to make sure once a year we all got together for a family reunion. It would usually be here in Washington, since this is where we live. Renting a Hall, a Hotel Banquet room, or sometimes right here at Forest Park. These family reunions are something I hold close to my heart. It was a time for meeting new family, and reuniting with the old. Making new friends and just plain out fun!
This day was a holiday in itself. My aunt Lisa Kaye made it clear Turkey can be made any day of the year, as long as it’s deep fried of course. The menu consisted of comfort food and nothing else. The only salad was Potato salad, and bread was the sweetest and most moist corn bread anyone has ever tasted. Collard greens with ham, oven made Mac n Cheese, fried chicken, Turkey Gizzard stuffing, Corn on the cob….ugh, the list goes on.
The food was not what I remember most about this special day. I remember the smiles, the laughter and the pride everyone felt to be a part of such a large and united family. Through the roughest and toughest times, there is always someone to lean on. And this special day is what made that possible. The importance of family is sometimes overlooked, or taken for granted, but it is of the utmost importance. Well, at least to us.
This day brought memories that are etched in my brain forever. From playing horse, on my Daddy’s knee, trying not to be the first of the many girls to fall off. The way my uncle Kenny would dance to Vanilla Ice, “Ice, Ice Baby” and the look on my Uncle Charles’ face when he walked through the door. It’s like his eyes scanned the room for his favorite little cheerleader, me. He always used to call me that for some reason. The way he would pick me up like I was as light as a feather. I always felt so loved and safe in one of my uncles arms. They treated me like a princess, and everyone knows how much girls love that feeling.
These memories are something I hold close to my heart and can make me smile out of nowhere, even still today. I am lucky to have a family that is so united, and without these family reunions, I would have never known, just how lucky I am…
