In my family, we called them “get togethers” instead of a family reunion. I can still remember the feeling of magic and anticipation of those special occasions.

When I was growing up, we got together right before Christmas with my Papaw’s brother’s family. I loved it when everybody came over to my mamaw and papaw’s house. My mom and my mamaws cooked in the kitchen as they whipped up the feast. The aroma was awesome. And they happily bantered and laughed as they worked.

My papaw would get out his Bing Crosby’s White Christmas Album and play it. Sometimes, I would sit at his feet and listen as he sang along with it. I still remember his voice and how he smelled of Old Spice.

Then my great uncles’ family arrived and the house came alive with the sound of conversations and the clinking of utensils against plates. Love and laughter filled the air. I miss those wondrous times so much.

There was a bigger family reunion in the summers with more of our cousins. We grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and papaw made some of his homemade ice cream. Before it was over, we would eat watermelons the old fashioned way. You held a slice/wedge of watermelon in your hand and dug your face into it. No plates. No forks. All you had were napkins and the grass. If you took a bite and it had a seed, you politely spit it out in the grass.

One of my cousins had a small movie camera. Back in the early 70s, hand held video cameras didn’t exist yet. Anyway, he recorded us eating watermelons. After he got his developed film reel back, he would set up his movie screen and we would all sit down together and watch it. My favorite part was when he ran the segment of people spitting out the watermelon seeds backwards. That was hilarious. It looked like the seeds were jumping up into their mouths from the ground.

Most of the older members of my family are gone now and our family get togethers are far and few between. But my husband’s family still has get togethers. Unfortunately, some of the family passed away this year, but that didn’t stop them. I think they realized more than ever the importance of the family being together and loving each other while they still could.

And they play the craziest and most fun games. At this last one, they tied chocolate covered donuts onto a wire and hung them from a tree branch. Those playing had to put their hands behind their backs and eat the donuts without touching them. The first one to eat his or her donuts won. It was so funny and everybody had melted chocolate all over their faces.

Get togethers are a big southern tradition that we need today more than ever. We all need to appreciate our families and spend quality time with them. Have fun with them. Fellowship with them. Love them unconditionally the way the Lord loves us.

And don’t forget to eat desserts tied form a string together.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)