Family Reunion
A Family Reunion for me is an Oasis of Unconditional Love, a time to refresh and regroup. A time to build memories to tide me over during those times when I am away from the family and the joy of belonging!
Not long ago I attended the Loewen Family Reunion in Hillsboro, Kansas. One of the memories I took away was the comment by one of Mother’s cousin, “If we wait for another three years for a reunion, I am not sure my twin sister can attend, she will be that much older.” There was a truth in her words and a twinkle in her eye. Several of Mother’s cousins came to me, “I remember when you were born.” That was some tall remembering since I was 77 years old at the time. I was the first grandchild and great grandchild. My place in the family was secure.
There were smaller family reunions on the Siemens side, but just as precious, to hear the four Siemens brothers reminisce about the donkey they road with a string saddle – skinning their toes; taking wheat to town in a model T truck and making 3 tries to crest the small hill with a load of wheat; the first cookies their big sister made that could be overcoat buttons when they cooled.
But the reunion I want to tell you about was video-taped in 1995, one year after Mother became ill with pulmonary fibrosis. Gib and Elaine drove to Rogers, and initiated a first. Since Mother could not travel to the Suderman reunion, they would tape Mother’s comments and messages to the family. In her inimitable fashion, Mother prepared a set of questions for her siblings to answer. The result is a memorable video. I watched Uncle Alfred and Aunt Alma who have left this earth along with Aunt Irene’s husband, Uncle Bud. I saw tears in her eyes as Cousin Karen talked about her Dad who also has left. Aunt Helen introduced Jonas’ family and now she has left us. Uncle Eli talked of visiting Aunt Bernice and Uncle Albert who are gone. Then I saw so many cousins I don’t know – but family, young marrieds with small children — as Joel recorded the happenings he introduced so many little ones — Katherine, Josiah, Michael, etc.
The tables were filled with all sorts of food, and the dedication the Suderman clan gave to filling their plates was accompanied by laughter and joy of being together. Then came the time of remembering and responding. Although Mother presumed her siblings would respond, the younger generation also added to the answers.
The questions as Mother asked them, sitting in her hospital bed with the ever present oxygen tubes, dressed in a purple bed jacket.
1. Did you learn anything in particular from our Grandparents?
- Aunt Alma loved the appreciation Grandma had for a new dress.
- Uncle Eli said he learned that you should be proud of your family, for according to Grandpa, Uncle Dan was the first one to have Model T Roadster!
- Aunt Irene remembered getting a quarter if she sat still from Grandpa Loewen when he pulled her baby teeth. Laughter ensued as they recalled the smell of Grandpa’s homemade liniment that emanated from the round peppermint candies.
2. What do you remember about Mama’s use of psychology? I remember Mama asking Eli if he wanted to sweep the sidewalk or wash the dishes.
- Gracie remembered that her Mom asked if she wanted to go get the cows in for milking or fix supper.
- Aunt Irene remembered that when Dad came home and supper was not ready, to quickly set the table, even if you didn’t hadn’t planned what to have yet.
- Uncle Eli remembered Mama’s optimism, for Dad was a pessimist. He then quoted (in Plaut Dietch) Ah, Papa, that isn’t going to happen.
3. What was the favorite food Mama cooked? I loved Mama’s pure cream pie
with lots of sugar.
- Uncle Eli – That was only when Dad was gone, he couldn’t stand it. I loved fresh caught fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Once in a while we had fish for breakfast, for Jonas used to go fishing. Nothing like fish and Post Toasties.
- Aunt Irene – From scratch, angel food cake in a square pan.
4. What are the smells about the storm celler you remember?
- Irene – I remember the storm cellar door had a nail in it, and I slid down, and caught the nail in my backsides tearing my new ‘store-bought’ underwear. Later Mama said to go get a cup of cream from the cellar. I saw a snake down there earlier when I put the eggs away, and didn’t want to go. Eli took pity on me, and killed the snake.
- The storm cellar was always cool, had a musty smell as well as the smell of smoked ham. I often slipped down there and took a nap.
- Aunt Alma -the barrel of watermelon juice, crushed watermelon, and how good that was.
5. What part of our heritage do you appreciate most?
- To believe in Jesus, and the work ethic that is expected in our family.
- Elaine – The way Christmas is celebrated. Jonas had a special way to celebrate, and it has been a tradition in our family as well, to have a program and understand that Christmas is more than the gifts under the tree.
- Aunt Irene – It has been the normal and natural way to live, we have emulated our parents’ values and beliefs.
- Connie – coming from a background with no life in God, or values for Christian living, this family has been awesome for me to teach me how to walk with God. I have listened and learned from Irene. It made a difference in my life.
6. We are getting older and think more of the eternal things. Not staying true to Him a detour in our Christian walk. What do you want to hand over to your great grandchildren?
- Irene – before Bud, my husband, died, he said, “I thought I would have something spectacular to say, but all I have is the life I have led in Christ Jesus.
- Krista – The Christian example of our Aunts and Uncles.
- Karen – to love and care about each other – the family love that can only come through the love of Jesus Christ.
A family reunion here on earth is filled with memories build on unconditional love – an oasis of laughter, tears, prayer and songs of praise to our Father. Laughter of children, a welcome of each new member through weddings and their new babies that enrich the family as they are nurtured. Recipes that are handed down through the generations. A sense of belonging. And remembering the lives of great-great grandparents back through the generations with an examination of selves and the paths we choose.
And so it is in God’s Family. Because of Jesus and his sacrifice, we can know His love here on earth. We remember what God has done for each of us as we continue on, even as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remembered the steadfastness of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David, were strengthened in their resolve to follow the God.
The Great Reunion is coming when Jesus comes again. The Family of God will be brought together – in the Oasis of Unconditional Love of our Lord and Master.
Last Sunday I heard the words that Chris Tomlin penned, tears pricked my tears as I thought of the homecomings I have known here on earth and the grand homecoming I can look forward to in Jesus Christ:
So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are
Wow! That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing your reunion tape. I love the thought to set the table for dad first and then think about supper plans!! haha Watermelon, snakes, fish and post tosties, and riding a donkey to school all so long ago – thanks for sharing with us of past memories and your dear mother “Miss Anne” who always had a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Mary Wilson