This week, my memories are of our family reunions that were held for so many years. My mom was one of twelve, and the reunions began many years before I was born. It started as a way to celebrate the birthdays of three of her brothers who had birthdays in July.
At the time, the family referred to it as ‘the wienie roast’. Everyone gathered at her brother, Andrew’s, farm, a couple of counties over from where we lived. They all brought wire coat hangers, and there was an open fire to roast hot dogs. Uncle Andrew pulled some of his old farm carts up in the yard and, apparently, they were used for seating. I’m not sure of the date on this photo, but I’m guessing mid-to late fifties.
The wire coat hangers were one of two things I recall most vividly. This was the other: Andrew’s daughter, Nell, had horses, and she gave us kids pony rides during the reunion. Needless to say, that was the highlight of those reunions for me.
During the sixties, the reunions were officially designated to take place on the first Saturday of August (thus, the reason for my memories this week). They were also moved to my Uncle Bob’s property on the James River near Smithfield. He hadn’t yet built his home there, but tables were set up to hold all the food, there was a grill for hot dogs, and everyone brought plenty of side dishes. No pony rides here, but we did enjoy swimming or just wading in the river.
This may have been taken at the last reunion my grandmother attended, which would have been 1969. She passed away in November of that year. Notice the fresh flowers in a vase on the table. It was a farming family, so someone always brought flowers (usually glads) from their yard.
I’m glad to have this photo of Grandma with her twelve children, and the first thing I see is her ever-present ‘pocketbook’.
After my grandmother’s passing, the reunion was hosted by my Uncle Bennie and his family, also near Smithfield. They had a huge front yard, so plenty of room for parking and for all of us to gather. I remember we sometimes had over 70 folks attend those reunions. This is a photo of ‘my generation’: I’m in the pink and white shirt.
When Uncle Bennie and his wife became unable to continue hosting the reunions, they were held at the homes of other family members for a few years. Motor Man and I had them here at our house beginning in 2011 and continued through 2019.
This was the first one, 2011:
The reunions were much smaller than years ago, but we always enjoyed being together.
For a variety of reasons, we’re no longer having actual reunions. Occasionally a few of us cousins and our families will gather for a meal at a local restaurant.
But the memories of those big, ol’ well attended family reunions will be foremost in my thoughts this week.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 