Its like a mad dash
If you are like many Americans, this summer you will be attending a family reunion. And in all likelihood you started your life story or family history to present to the relatives at this years meeting. And in all likelihood it is not done. Summer has a way of catching up on us and the things that we want to get done never seem to be finished. If you are like me the summer do list is twice as long as the do list at any other time of year. My timely suggestion is just to bring a chapter to the reunion to share. Call it what you like but I think calling it a preview of things to come makes sense and gets the family ready for more. What ever you, do don’t beat yourself up for not getting done. There is enough out in the world to beat you so why do it to yourself.
For the family reunion make sure that you bring a tape recorder and start asking away of the relatives in attendance. You may want to try the same question of all the family attendees. See what kind of answers you are getting and then see if this could be a chapter in your completed book for next years reunion. One type of question could be– Which relative that I never had a chance to meet would I have loved to known and why? Or, what is the funniest story you can repeat that happened to a family member. Do you get the drift? The same question to say, 5 or 10 members may give a treasure trove of insights to your family. Or you can spend the day interviewing some of the senior members in your family about their own grandparents or parents, it is a perfect way to get the information about previous generations. Remember once the elders are gone, there will be no one left with that kind of insight on previous generations of your family. And you then can beat yourself up for not asking all those questions!
What ever you do, don’t forget to bring a camera. Take photos of everything that happens. Take photos of everyone there. My secret hint of people photography, once you have framed a photo take one more step into the subject. Have you noticed that professional photographers are never afraid to get to close to the subject and their photos capture the real person while your photos always look like you took them. It is one step closer and you will be amazed how the subject jumps off the page. Family histories are filled with old photos but what is nice is to see those same relatives as they are today. Have a professional take the big group photo so that you to can be part of the family.
Yesterday I received a message from ehow.com had a list to things to do before going to a family reunion. I did not have time to read it but I am sure many of you that are planning on going might have. I have a problem with summer. I have too many things to do and need to just not do all those things on my list. That is why I know how many of you are rushing to get your stories done. I wish that you can get it done but not is lost if you don’t. You may want to write about your trip and asperations about this trip and getting together with your family and how you wanted to get it done but did not.
I know can check another thing off my do list and I am off to grocery shopping.
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- The do’s and don’ts of family reunions (thegrio.com)
