Reflecting on Family Reunions Past

In a few weeks, we'll be packing up and heading to another Family Reunion along the Belleisle Bay. It's one of my favourite places on the planet. Yes, of course, the scenery is soothing and the sound of waves gently lapping on the beach can be mesmerizing. But more than anything, it reminds me of growing up with "Leisure Days" - a fun-filled weekend with 50+ of our closest family and friends!

Every year, as we turned down the bumpy, tree-lined driveway to my grandparent's modest camp, the first thing I always noticed was the sea of RVs. They were typically abandoned during daylight hours, but they had arrived filled with beloved pets, family friends, aunts, uncles and cousins - lots and lots of cousins! They say cousins are your first best friends. How lucky am I to have 20+ best friends?!

I remember the little red and white shed with every imaginable outdoor plaything spilling out of it's doors. The clothesline filled with damp bathing suits and towels blowing in the breeze. Life jackets draped across the deck railings The picnic tables and BBQs lined up end to end. Scattered adirondack chairs; each skillfully hand-crafted by my grandfather. The flat rock staircase leading to the beach - recalling from previous years where to tread to avoid a lopsided step!

During those Leisure Days' weekends, we got up at sunrise and didn't stop 'til well after dark. Our days were filled with "friendly" softball games in a neighbour's field, tug-o-war and three-legged races along the beach, and scavenger hunts that reached as far as an adjacent campground. Evenings brought on the kid's rehearsed talent shows, a flurry of bbq'd burgers, roasted marshmallows and the occasional fireworks display.

Thinking back now, I was so immersed in having fun that I didn't notice if my parents, aunts and uncles were enjoying themselves too. As a child, I suppose I assumed that they were there to cater to our every whim. I'll find out soon enough though. This time, I'll be a parent at the reunion. Sure, I'll cater to the kids. But I plan on having a lot of fun too - and maybe even win a three-legged race or hit a home run.

Update:

Family Reunion 2016 was a big success - Thanks to 80+ of our closest family and friends!