a essay of a family reunion

Shoba Sreenivasan, Ph.D., and Linda E. Weinberger, Ph.D.

The Importance of Reunions: High School, Family, and Friends

What can be gained by attending them..

Posted April 13, 2018 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

Ben is a 43-year-old man who just received an announcement for his 25-year high school reunion. It’s been years since he saw his old classmates and he has mixed feelings about attending.
Jennie and Pat grew up on the East Coast but moved to Oregon to attend college where they met and married upon graduation. Although they keep in touch with their immediate families, they have not kept up with other relatives. A distant cousin sent them an invitation to attend an extended family reunion weekend in Massachusetts. It sounds interesting, but it may be too difficult to take their four children there.
Monica, Cynthia, and Candy were best friends growing up. Despite going to different colleges and settling in different states, they have kept up with one another through phone calls, emails, cards, and photos. It’s been a long time since they’ve seen one another in person because all three are married, have children, and are working. They talk about having a reunion, but nothing has happened yet.

All three stories reflect problematic issues related to reunions:

Ambivalence about attending a reunion
Difficulties in attending a reunion
Lack of commitment to organize or implement a reunion

Attending reunions can present psychological, financial, and logistical problems. That is clearly not the intent of reunions; yet, these issues often exist. Why?

High school reunions tend to bring up old memories, some of which may be unpleasant—like seeing the “mean girls” who used to make fun of you or the girl who turned you down when you asked her to the prom.

People may also be reluctant to go to their high school reunion because of feeling embarrassed about their physical appearance or insecurity about their lack of achievements since graduation. The idea that individuals will be compared now to their adolescent self or their grown classmates may carry the risk for regretting how their life turned out.

On the other hand, high school reunions can be eye-opening. We usually develop wisdom and maturity as we age. Encountering our former classmates and recalling old memories, good and bad, may help us gain better insight into who we are now and how we got here.

High school reunions can also be fun. It can be a time to go down “ memory lane.” That is, to reminiscence about people we knew as well as our mutual history in such things as music and historical events. In fact, renewing old friendships and reliving the fun and feelings we had in high school are two of the most common reasons people attend their high school reunions (Lamb & Reeder, 1986).

Family reunions are another type of reunion that can be psychologically and educationally fulfilling:

They bring together relatives who have never met (e.g., new members of the family, newborns) and demonstrate the extensiveness of one’s sphere of relatives.
They encourage communication among extended family members after the reunion period.
They provide educational opportunities for the various generations to learn about the members of their clan and pass on historical information.
They celebrate the meaning of family by sharing memories and family rituals as well as encouraging a sense of belonging to something greater than your nuclear family.

A third type of reunion is one where long-time friends physically get together and reconnect. Although we live in a multi-mode communication (e.g., emails, Facetime, telephone calls, social media , texts) era, there is no substitute for the physical presence and an extended period to spend together. The opportunity to engage in conversations that are not time-restricted encourage deeper communication. Even mundane activities, like going for a walk or taking a long drive, can stimulate the friends to reminisce or discuss their feelings and thoughts beyond a superficial level.

Reunions with old friends inevitably bring up people and issues of our past. Such friends may recall memories of us, our family members, and other people we knew, as well as events that happened to us. A reunion with friends is different than high school or family reunions. This reunion involves friends who have known us for a long time and have seen us through an entirely different lens than that used by our former classmates or relatives. The perspective of long-time friends can be very enlightening. It may not only reveal information about us and how we have changed, but also similar information about our friends. Discussing and knowing this can lead to greater intimacy and respect for one another.

Reunions of any kind are not always easy to arrange because of the cost and managing the details. In order to increase attendance:

Keep costs low to accommodate most people’s budget.
Encourage people to submit ideas and preferences for activities.
Look for convenient places and times when as many people as possible can attend.
Devote most of the time to activities that promote connection among the attendees; especially, those that focus on sharing old and making new memories.
Attend with the plan to not re-hash unpleasant events or topics.
Seek out people you like and care about.

Generally, reunions can be highly valuable to our well-being. For those who want to learn more about themselves and make stronger connections with others, reunions can be a powerful vehicle for accomplishing this.

Kluin, J. Y., & Lehto, X. Y. (2012). Measuring family reunion travel motivations. Annals of Tourism Research, 39, 820-841. doi:10.1016/j.annals.2011.09.008.

Lamb, D. H., & Reeder, G. D. (1986, June). Reliving golden days. Psychology Today, 22-26, 30.

McCutcheon, L. E., Pope, T. J., Grant, R., & Simplis, K. (2016). Does savoring predict attendance at high school reunions and the tendency to admire celebrities? North American Journal of Psychology, 18, 295-306.

Shoba Sreenivasan, Ph.D., and Linda E. Weinberger, Ph.D. , are psychology professors at the Keck School of Medicine at USC.

Find a Therapist
Find a Treatment Center
Find a Psychiatrist
Find a Support Group
Find Teletherapy
United States
Brooklyn, NY
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC
Asperger's
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
Passive Aggression
Personality
Goal Setting
Positive Psychology
Stopping Smoking
Low Sexual Desire
Relationships
Child Development
Therapy Center NEW
Diagnosis Dictionary
Types of Therapy

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Affective Forecasting
Neuroscience

An Ode to the Family Reunion

These days, it’s all too easy to swap facetime for face time—but maintaining genuine connections with loved ones remains important. here, one writer makes the case for getting the whole family together once a year..

Copy Link copied

Since the early 1980s, the Healys have organized a family reunion every year without fail.

Courtesy of Annie Daly; design by Emily Blevins

Every single year without fail, my extended family on my mom’s side gets together for a family reunion during the first weekend of August. There are about 40 of us total, give or take, spanning four generations, and when I let people in on this fact, they are often blown away. “Every year?” they’ll ask, incredulous, their eyes widening. “Really? That many people, every year?”

Yes, really.

Perhaps due to our increasingly busy, on-the-move culture, I’ve found that more and more people are amazed to learn about our annual gathering of extended family; they almost always want to know what it’s actually like. I’m always happy to share—the memories and the traditions that my family have created each year have kept us close and have turned me into a firm believer in the joy of the family reunion.

My 92-year-old grandfather, Otis Healy (whom we all call “Big O”) is our fearless leader, the man behind the magic. A true family guy at heart, he has meticulously planned—and generously paid for—each and every Healy Family Reunion since the tradition began in the early 1980s. The reunions have been a constant for all 34 years of my life, and yet I still don’t take them for granted. I recognize that it’s rare to have a family patriarch who funds a yearly family reunion and to have a family that actually gets along in the first place; I’m deeply grateful to have both.

At a reunion in Kona, the girl cousins—including Daly, front row, third from the left—gained resort renown thanks to a smoothie recipe they concocted.

Photo courtesy Annie Daly; design by Emily Blevins

Our reunions usually take place at a resort or hotel in Southern California, where my mom and her three siblings grew up. While the majority of the family still lives in the area, some members of the crew travel in from New York, Boston, Rhode Island, Dallas, and Virginia. Back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, when there were 11 cousins under the age of 10, the events would often span almost a full week—and usually the resort staff loved being along for the ride. One year, when we were staying at Kona Village Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island , the girl cousins made up a smoothie and named it after ourselves, using the first letter of each of our names. By the end of the week, we were “resort famous” around the property for creating the popular KJAM (Katie, Jennifer, Annie, and Meg) smoothie. We still talk about our “early rise to fame.” (Unfortunately, Kona was washed away by a tsunami in 2011, but may be reopening as a Rosewood property in 2022.)

As the cousins got older, Big O traded in full weeks for one doable weekend, since 100 percent attendance is always the goal. As some of us neared high school age, the festivities got a little more animated, culminating in an infamous cruise to Tijuana. Oh, the cruise! That year, the “Cousin Class of 1985” all turned 18—the legal drinking age in Mexico. We were all a little too enthusiastic about finally being able to drink in front of our parents, and I ended up getting sick . . . on Big O’s feet. Literally on his feet. It’s a running joke in our family to this day.

The laughter continued over the years in other fun and beautiful spots, including Temecula Creek Inn , where we went on a hot air balloon ride over wine country at 5 a.m.; Paradise Point in San Diego, where my newly raw-vegan cousin Kevin introduced us all to the wonders of eating fresh hibiscus straight off the tree; and Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa , where I leaned into the reputation I earned in Tijuana and brought a wine rack as a joke—and even wore it over my dress at our family beach barbecue.

That’s the thing about my family: We all have a silly sense of humor, one that comes out in full force during the reunions. And our opportunities for goofiness increased in 2011 when Big O married his third wife (sadly, he lost both my grandmother Betty and his second wife Barbara to cancer), a wonderful woman named Joann, whom everyone calls “Bombie.” Big O and Bombie decided to combine family forces, bringing the reunion roster up from 23 or so to around 40.

In the past few years, the new, much larger crew has started working together as one big team to choose a secret theme for each reunion to surprise Big O and Bombie. During the 2016 election year, for example, the theme was “Big O for President!” We made election pins; dressed up in red, white, and blue hats for the family photo (there’s always a family photo); and carried a huge banner that read “Big O for President” through The Ranch at Laguna Beach , where we were staying. When he turned 90, the theme was “Absolut Otis—90 Proof,” a tribute to his love of a double vodka on the rocks, which he drinks every day at 5 p.m. on the nose. Once again, we gave the theme the banner treatment, and we also made bottles of “Absolut Otis” vodka as souvenirs.

But no matter what the theme is, certain elements of the reunion never change. Every day we gather at 5 p.m. in the “hospitality suite”—Big O and Bombie’s room. Big O stocks the room with varied snacks from Costco, which always include at least one enormous tub of salted mixed nuts. He’ll also often ask people to give speeches if they did something especially noteworthy in the preceding 12 months. Last year, four of the cousins (myself included) had either just gotten married or were about to do so, and he asked us what we learned about wedding planning and marriage itself. While we had all had slightly different experiences, we agreed that it’s the marriage, not the wedding, that matters. And you have to have a sense of humor to make a marriage work.

In 2011, Big O married Bombie and the family reunion attendees almost doubled, making for even more merriment.

Photo by Tom Daly Photography; design by Emily Blevins

Photo by Tom Daly Photography; design by Emily Blevins In 2011, Big O married Bombie and the family reunion attendees almost doubled, making for even more merriment.

In the end, that’s why our family reunions work, too; we genuinely crack each other up. And we also get down. We usually enlist a resort DJ for the big party on Saturday night, and Uncle Mike busts out the worm. One year, after that ridiculous song “ Red Solo Cup ” came out, we spent hours making red Solo cup gear to surprise Big O and Bombie on the big night. Some of the best times of my life have been out there on that dance floor, laughing my face off with my family, and that’s exactly why Big O keeps planning these reunions year after year after year. “The reunions solidify the word ‘family’ to me,” he told me. “I get such great joy out of seeing everybody together and interacting with one another. . . . It’s as simple as that.”

Sadly, in our busy, all-digital-everything, increasingly disconnected world, that simplicity can be hard to find. And a genuine connection with family—related or chosen, however you define it—is more important than ever. So as a self-appointed Reunion Whisperer, I can assure you that no matter how many miles you have to fly, or days you have to take off from work, or reply-all email chains you have to stay on top of to make your get-togethers happen, it’s worth it. Reunions can take place anywhere, whether that’s your cousin’s grassy backyard or an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere. The point is that they take place—with all of their laughter and their love and maybe even their red Solo cups.

>>Next: The World’s Best Family Hotels

Family Reunions Are Back! 6 Steps for Making Events Memorable

Early planning and research can make this your best gathering yet.

large multi generational family all waving and wearing tee shirts that say johnson family reunion

A family reunion is a way to connect, keep ties strong, share insights about family history and just plain enjoy the company of relatives who live near and far.

Many families are anxious to get back to holding reunions, both large and small, after postponing them because of the pandemic . But reunions can be more than a big party or a celebration, says Suzanne Vargus Holloman, co-director of the Family Reunion Institute. These family gatherings can encourage attendees to delve into genealogy, address family health issues and foster social supports such as youth mentoring.

“One of our mottoes is that family reunions are more than a picnic,” Holloman says. “These reunions were organized to pass down history and impart values — to support the family and extended family in the various ways that were needed. But they have grown into major events.”

AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

“When are we going to have the reunion?”

Eighty-year-old Rev. Doug Harris says family reunions have been a constant for much of his life. But it wasn’t that way from the start. In fact, he was too busy falling in love to attend his family’s first reunion.

“It was the week I met my wife, and I declined,” says Harris, who lives in Swedesboro, New Jersey, and is a former marketing and communications executive. He may have skipped that family reunion in 1973, but he and his wife, Myrna, have been to dozens of them since. Most were for his father’s family and reunited branches of his African American family from southern Virginia and New Jersey. The most recent took place in August 2021 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and because of COVID-19, it drew only about 50 people — down from a pre-pandemic range of 80 to 100.

AARP NEWSLETTERS

%{ newsLetterPromoText }%

%{ description }%

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT

“It came about because there was a demand,” says Harris, who helped plan last summer’s event. “People kept calling and saying, ‘When are we going to have the reunion?’ ” he recalls. “Finally, in spite of our concerns about COVID , we went ahead and planned one.”

Reunions can be major events drawing hundreds of attendees, making them a prime market for the hospitality industry. For example, before the pandemic, people attending reunions in Detroit occupied more than 15,000 room nights annually and generated more than $16 million in direct visitor spending, based on numbers from the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. That kind of market means visitors and convention bureaus, hotels, restaurants, cruise lines and other attractions are eager to court families, including by offering information sessions and discounts.

Target Optical

50% off additional pairs of eyeglasses and $10 off eyewear and contacts

Focus on planning and organization

red checkered picnic tablecloth background with a paper plate that contains the text family reunion planner

Reunions are back!
Tips for organizing
Surprising destinations
Plan the menu
Family-friendly activities
COVID-19 precautions
Travel planning
Timeline checklist
Reunion finances
Reunion quiz
Party ideas
Conversation starters
Healthy reunions
More on family and connecting

Whether you’re planning for 30 or 300, a family reunion requires organization and creativity. Harris’ family has both northern and southern reunion planning committees, since events shift between Virginia and New Jersey and places in between, like the Poconos in Pennsylvania. Harris reunions are usually held every other year and might include a banquet, dancing, a talent show, family updates and news, local tours and church services.

But for many, event planning doesn’t come naturally.

“Organizing a reunion takes some learning,” says Edith Wagner, editor of Reunion magazine . Wagner founded the magazine more than 30 years ago in hopes of helping adoptees like herself reunite with their birth families. Today the magazine has expanded to include resources, advice and listings for family, school and military reunions.

Wagner’s suggestion is to start slowly — don’t try to plan too many activities the first year. “There will be people who will start out and want to do everything, everything in the first reunion,” she says. “And you can’t do that, because you need to build up to a point of people understanding what you’re doing.”

Experts add that it’s important to include all age groups in reunion planning, particularly young people. They are, after all, the future of the family — and reunions. Harris says the young adults in his family haven’t quite taken up the planning mantle, but they do value keeping in touch with each other, with the help of technology. They have a texting group on GroupMe, for example, he says.

“They do a lot of checking in on each other,” Harris says. “And sometimes the conversations go on for hours and even days going back and forth.”

Thinking of organizing a family reunion? Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Start early

It’s never too soon to start planning, even if it’s just for a backyard barbecue, experts say. If you’re planning a big gathering at a hotel or other venue, they suggest starting as much as two years in advance. A time line can help you keep organized and assign tasks — and avoid surprises.

2. Make the reunion committee inclusive

A range of ages and incomes will help ensure there are activities that everyone can enjoy and afford, experts say. “You want to have people who represent the youngsters, your families with children, and then our seniors,” says Harris. “People feel it when they are left out.” Also, including younger generations in the planning will prepare them to take over in the future.

3. Consult the experts

The Family Reunion Institute hosts free virtual workshops on how to organize a reunion. Convention and visitors bureaus and chambers of commerce also sponsor family reunion workshops that showcase hotels, restaurants and attractions and offer tips on organization. Jeffrey Mills, a recently retired marketing expert based near Atlanta, wrote a manual for the hospitality industry on how to attract the reunion market and has also taught at showcases. He focuses on practical tips, including making a reunion attendee spreadsheet that tracks names, addresses and relationships. You can use the information to create a family tree and raise reunion funds by charging a few dollars for copies.

4. Use technology

Email, social media and texting apps like Facebook Groups and GroupMe can help people stay in touch between reunions and build excitement about upcoming events. Payment apps like PayPal or Venmo make it easier to handle the money, including allowing people to pay over time. Use Zoom or similar apps to keep in touch, to include people who can’t attend in person, and to host events like family cooking lessons.

5. Seek opportunities to exchange information

The Family Reunion Institute encourages families to share health information. “Oftentimes there are certain medical conditions that run through families, and families can organize to support each other to help prevent possible health conditions,” says Holloman, whose nonprofit promotes research on family reunions and helps families, particularly those of African American descent, organize them. The institute was founded by Holloman’s mother, Ione Vargus, professor emerita at Temple University.

6. Celebrate family history

Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems, a podcaster, YouTuber and author, has many tips on how to make history fun at reunions, such as a hopscotch game that requires answering a family trivia question. She also has ideas for genealogy-based souvenirs. One family used a treasured blanket design to create a wrapper for souvenir candy bars. Another gathered and distributed favorite family recipes. “To me, a family reunion isn’t really a family reunion without genealogy,” she says. “The one thing that binds everyone together is that they share ancestors.”

Discover AARP Members Only Access

Already a Member? Login

How to Plan and Organize a Family Reunion

Last Updated: December 17, 2020 Approved

This article was co-authored by Stefanie Chu-Leong . Stefanie Chu-Leong is the Owner and Senior Event Planner for Stellify Events, an event management business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and California Central Valley. Stefanie has over 15 years of event planning experience and specializes in large-scale events and special occasions. She has a BA in Marketing from San Francisco State University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 182,857 times.

Since the advent of the personal computer and network technology, genealogy research by family members has become an addictive pastime that has contributed to many happy family reunions. But what if you were asked to organize the next event? Where would you start? When should you start? Should you hire a family reunion planner, form a reunion committee or do it all yourself?

Step 1 Ask for other family members to help with planning activities and choosing the time and place.

During the gathering have food and drink available.
Share stories and anecdotes. Don't gossip or spread rumors; keep everything positive and friendly.
Bring lots, and lots of love. Even for people you usually clash with!

Expert Q&A

There are many family reunion planning tools online. Make use of planning material that features the following: a time line, preparation reminders, scheduling worksheets, committee assignment sheets, reunion needs lists, meal planners and checklists and T-Shirt Rosters. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
There are many ways to do your family reunion on the cheap. You can get free stuff from your local Chamber of Commerce, museums and tourist centers, find free spots to congregate at universities, and get free invitations and eCards online. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
You might like to consider holding a small family gathering to plan and organize a committee for starting annual or regular family reunions. It depends on how much effort you wish to put in. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't settle for services simply because they are cheap and local. Get recommendations from folks who do not stand to profit. Thanks Helpful 44 Not Helpful 7
Don't procrastinate. Thanks Helpful 38 Not Helpful 9
Delegate tasks according to skill and competence. Thanks Helpful 38 Not Helpful 11

↑ https://www.moneycrashers.com/tips-plan-family-reunion-budget/
↑ https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/key-family-reunion-success/

About this article

Reader Success Stories

Sandy Williams

Dec 27, 2016

Did this article help you?

Latrice Horton

Apr 29, 2017

Patricia Baker

Sep 15, 2017

Teresa Jackson

Apr 18, 2016

C.C. Caldwell

Sep 19, 2016

About wikiHow
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info

bestessayhelp.com

My First Family Reunion – Essay Sample

Topic: Family

Thesis Statement: Family is very important, as it says in the Bible: “A house that is divided cannot stand”.

I attended my first family reunion when I was twelve years old. This was no ordinary family reunion; it involved my extended family, and lasted overnight. It was an overall fun experience and it brought me closer to my family
“A family that prays together stays together”, grandmother would always say
Today I will be speaking about the family reunion which brought my family and I closer together
Sadly, not all people, especially teenagers appreciate their family
Getting Acquainted night was our first gathering
I did not realize how many family members I had, and was overwhelmed at first
I was reluctant to be involved and stayed close to my immediate family
I honestly did not want to be where I was, and it felt awkward
After some time, I started liking it when we got a bit more involved in the activities
We played icebreaker games and there were a few speeches
The night turned out pretty fun
The family picnic was probably the most fun part of the reunion
After experiencing a gist of the reunion the night before, I was ready to be more involved
I got to know family members who I did not know I had
After a day, it was as if I knew them my whole life
This part of the reunion was most probably the most active
Games were held again, and it was all good times
I did not want it to end
The family banquet was a formal event, and it closed the family reunion
The whole family gathered at a formal banquet where closing remarks were made
We spoke about the good time we had during the activities
It was concluded that we should do something like this more often
After this whole time, grandmother, who was one of the eldest members in the family reiterated the importance of the family
Because of all the games and activities, I did not realize that this reunion actually served a deeper purpose
For me, it was just a very fun event, however after much thought, I knew it meant something more
A family that prays together stays together. We made this happen by gathering all the members of our family, and joining together in meals and in good times
“A house that is divided cannot stand”, and family is a very important part of anyone’s life
Has any event in your life brought you closer to your family?

The road to success is easy with a little help. Let's get your assignment out of the way.

How to Plan a Family Reunion: A Checklist, Guide + Tips from Experts

Budget Minded , Family , Family Reunion , Friends , Professional

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 alanareunacy -->

<< Back To The Blog

So you’re the chosen family member who gets to organize and plan the upcoming family reunion! If that’s you, Reunacy has done the major leg work and created an in-depth planning guide and a family reunion planning checklist to alleviate your duties.

We spoke with dozens of family reunion planners, event planning experts, and production coordinators to create the ultimate guide to planning a family reunion. With guidance from experts, you’ll have a comprehensive and detailed understanding of what you need to do to plan and execute a successful family reunion. We’ve also included a downloadable checklist that you can print out and fill in as you check off each detail!

Phase One: How to Start Planning Your Family Reunion

Phase one occurs 8-12 months before the Reunion

Identify Your “Why”

A family gathering is more than just an event, it is the reunion of people who love each other and want the best for each other over a lifetime together.

Family reunions can have different purposes. Maybe your family is a bit estranged and all lives far away from each other. In that case, a family reunion can help strengthen new bonds for the future. Maybe your family gets together often and just loves to be together!

What motivates you to plan your family reunion?

As a family reunion planner, it’s helpful for you to know your “why.” Whatever your reason is, you can turn back to that motivation in moments where the details of planning can feel overwhelming.

“Events of any type can be stressful, but especially when you’re planning for people you love and care about. Throughout the family reunion planning process, remind yourself that you’re planning for an entire family; one full of personalities and opinions. Keep focused on the goals, plan from a place of love, not obligation. Keep fun and feeling and memories at the forefront of everything you do throughout the planning process.” – Saundra Severtson , Event Planner and Founder of wyldmynd.

As you plan your family reunion, always remember your why. Remember that the whole point is to expand the love and joy within your family! It’s okay if every detail isn’t perfect, the purpose is to gather, connect, and get together.

Consulting the Family For Your Family Reunion

Now that you know you and your family want to get together, it is important to iron out a few details and communicate with your family. This is the information gathering phase.

At this early phase, making a few phone calls or sending a large family email or text message can help you discover the appetite across the board for a reunion.

You can also discover how much people in your family are able to spend to attend the reunion, as well as what time of year would be ideal for them to get together.

Info Gathering for Your Family Reunion

As you start initial communications within your family, ask a few key questions to gather information that will inform your planning.

“As you start planning a family reunion, ask each family – where are you coming from? What kind of budget would you be comfortable with per person? How many people from your family will be attending? That’s the best place to start.” – Michelle Maiello , Moonwood Marketing and Events

Once you gather information, it’s time to think about how to get more organized. If you can enlist a few volunteers within the family to help you with the planning process, you can split up the tasks and delegate throughout the process based on each person’s skills.

The Essential Early Details

As you start the family reunion planning process, there are a few key details you will need to focus on first. As you start brainstorming, keep an open mind.

“ One of my mantras is: get curious; then get to work! Every seasoned events planner knows that the details are crucial, which is why we ask so many questions.” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

Be clear when asking your family for information, yet be flexible enough in this early stage so you can make any needed adjustments.

Choosing a Date for your Family Reunion

One of the first and most important decisions is to lock in a date that works for the entire family. Much like planning a wedding, you might be targeting a certain time of year — like the spring or summer.

If you pick a date for the family reunion early, that gives you more time to plan.

“When it comes to planning an event, six – nine months in advance is the sweet spot for nailing down what you’re dreaming up. When you’re in a time crunch for planning, it may not allow the correct window to customize things for your event. During the planning process, details will change, new ideas may come to fruition, and when there is extra time in the process it is easy to make those accommodations and adjustments.” – Sarah McClure, Marketing Director, LUX Events

Lock in the Date for the Reunion

The most popular time of year to hold a family reunion is the late spring, summer, through early fall. Summertime is popular for family reunions because parents with children and teenagers can more easily plan a vacation around the family reunion since school is off!

Try picking two weekends within the summer and ask your family members which weekend works better for everyone.

Another reason to choose a date early in the process is to respect the travel budget of your family members. The earlier your family can reserve plane tickets or hotel reservations around the family reunion date, they can lock in lower travel prices and save money.

Some in the family may even decide to turn the family reunion into a road trip, or a vacation!

father and young son at on a dock at the lake

Your Family Reunion Budget

Besides the date, the budget is one of the most important elements of the family reunion planning process. The amount of funds in the budget will determine what kind of location you can secure, as well as the type of food and entertainment.

On average, family reunions can cost $25 – 75 a person, per day. Depending on the location you choose, the vendor costs, or the season, expenses will vary. It’s important to have a budget discussion early on in the process as some initial funds may be needed to reserve locations.

“When planning a family reunion, start by knowing the overall budget and the flexibility of all the family members in terms of travel. If people are coming from out of state and they are flying in and need accommodations, that’s a big part of the picture. Once you know what people are able to do in terms of travel costs, that can help you determine if you have the funds to rent a large venue for the reunion, or rent an AirBnb and have the family all stay in one place. If everyone already lives in the state or is within driving distance, then you’re able to spend the budget funds on things like catering, a private chef, or entertainment.” -Michelle Maiello, Moonwood Marketing

Keep in mind, another way to lower the travel expenses for your family is to reserve a block of hotel rooms for the family.

Consider Location Options For your Family Reunion

After you’ve had some initial budget discussions, consider the type of location you want for your family reunion.

Locations and venue rentals are typically the highest expense of an event. The more time you have to prepare, the more options you can consider for locations.

“Starting as early as possible is key to giving yourself time to find your ideal venue and negotiate the contract. Making decisions on the larger spends early will allow the planner to spend wisely on the little details along the way. Larger spends include venue, catering, transportation & housing (if needed). Negotiate those contracts early!” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

Many locations require early reservations. If you wait until the last minute or until 3 months before, it will be difficult to secure your ideal spot.

When you are brainstorming locations and venues for your family reunion, be open minded. Sometimes you need to visit a place in person to really understand if it can be the perfect fit for your family.

Family reunions can be held at a variety of locations, such as:

Local Church
Favorite restaurant
An outdoor park with a Bar-b-Q
Country club
An outdoor garden
Family home backyard
Pizza joint
A brewery or winery

“Family vibe and personality should be a consideration when looking for locations, but not the main consideration. I would absolutely look at a variety of ideas – even ones that seem outlandish or too expensive. Have FUN in the planning process. Get creative!” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

Another thing to keep in mind about location is parking and transportation. Does the venue have a large parking lot?

Date, budget, location – these are the initial details that are essential to the early planning phases of organizing a family reunion.

Once you have gotten started with these key details, you can start the creative process of envisioning the reunion!

Phase Two: 3 – 8 months before the Family Reunion

Now that you’ve decided on a date and started the planning process, here are the next steps.

Staying Organized is Key to Planning a Family Reunion

While it may seem like annoying advice, staying organized can make or break the planning process. Before we get into all the details you need to arrange for the reunion, here are a few ways to stay organized.

Create a “Hero” Family Reunion Planning Document

This step is VERY important.

To keep all the reunion details organized, create a virtual document or spreadsheet to house all the planning information. This document or spreadsheet is where you will list your vendors’ contact info, the plans for the food, the schedule, etc.

Google spreadsheets are very easy to use, and you can even use a pre-made Google Wedding template … and change the name “wedding” to Family reunion!

As you narrow down vendors and event details, update the document or spreadsheet so the planning committee can all be in the loop.

How Clear Communication Can Shape a Successful Family Reunion

“A gathering starts long before guests walk through the front door” -Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering

Planning a family reunion (especially for more than 50 people) requires clear communication between the main family reunion planner and the family/attendees.

“My perspective is that the leader should communicate from a ‘coach’ perspective. We’re all on the same team, we each bring unique skills and perspectives, let’s work toward combining those to achieve our goals.” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

As you communicate with the family, having a positive, team-focused attitude can go a long way.

How to Communicate with the Family During the Planning Process

Part of the planning process is communicating with the attendees for information updates. Starting with a family email chain or text group can be a good method.

“Setting the tone and communicating effectively helps the team progress toward a successful event. Effective communication allows an opportunity for guests/invitees to learn more about what to expect – and to get excited about attending the event.” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

Once you start planning more officially and wish to track RSVPs, you might want to choose a more dynamic platform. Reunacy provides a seamless and private platform for your family to create groups and stay in touch.

Unlike Facebook groups, Reunancy keeps your family’s information completely private and there are no advertisements. Family members can RSVP through the platform, and you can easily track how many people are planning to attend.

Brainstorming a Vision for Your Family Reunion

Create a unique vision for the event to set the tone of the reunion.

“Make your family reunion YOU! You want your family reunion to resemble the parties in attendance and be a fun and enjoyable experience for all!”

There are so many ways you can personalize the family reunion to your family’s personality.

You can pick a unique theme, family colors, or even a cultural theme unique to your family heritage.

Consider Family History For the Reunion Theme

For example, if your family is Italian and loves Italian food, you can easily create a theme around the various types of Italian dishes. You could also include special recipes from grandparents!

Focusing on family heritage will create a heartwarming tone that encourages your family members to honor and connect with family history.

“I envision the tone and feel of an event months before by delving into the core objectives and desired atmosphere. This involves creating a vision and understanding the overarching message of the event, allowing for a more intentional and purposeful gathering. Every aspect, from the initial anticipation to the moment guests walk through the door, contributes to an impactful event.”- Brendan Sweeney, Producer

Whatever makes your family unique, delve into those unique traits and trust your instincts!

Solidify the Family Reunion Details

By now, you and your committee should have a short list of potential family reunion locations. Visit the locations and see which location is available for your date.

Lock in the Location for Your Family Reunion

“Budget is so important here. And I’d add that family vibe/personality should be a consideration, but not *the* consideration. I would absolutely look at a variety of ideas – even ones that seem outlandish or too expensive. Have FUN in the planning process. Get creative!” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

Lock in the location at least 6 months before the reunion date if possible. As mentioned before, the contract negotiation may take a few weeks.

By this point in the planning, you will want to have a rough estimate of how many people will attend, even if you don’t have all the RSVPs returned yet.

Communications – When do we send the family reunion invitations?

Again, you will want a clear way to communicate with your committee and your guests. As soon as you have locked in the location, send the invitations to your guests.

Invitations should be sent at least 3-5 months before the family reunion.

You will need to have all confirmed RSVPs no later than 5 weeks before the event.

With Reunacy, you can actively manage all your family reunion RSVPs within your Reunacy group.

Choose Your Vendors

Food and Catering: Dial in your food and catering choices

One of the most important elements of the family reunion is deciding on food that will fit within your budget that your family will enjoy.

The location you choose might have a kitchen with an in-house chef, which would make the catering a bit easier.

If you are planning to hire an outside catering service, look at a few vendors in your area and check the Yelp and Google ratings. Check your budget to make sure their pricing works within your range.

If you and your family are planning to do your own cooking, delegate menu creation and shopping lists within your family reunion planning committee.

Confirm Equipment Rental

Are you renting any chairs, tables, tableware, cups, napkins, or outdoor tents?

As you envision your family reunion, decide if you want to buy these items yourself or rent them from a party planning service.

Contact a local party vendor and make sure to ask if they can also include delivery and pick up service.

Tables, chairs, and tents are the most essential items to rent, as families usually don’t have 50 extra chairs lying around!

Photography

Photos really do last a lifetime! With all the planning and effort that goes into a family reunion, those photos will be priceless for you and your family to enjoy after the reunion.

“If budget allows, I’d strongly recommend a photographer or photo booth or an area with selfie sticks for folks to use. If you can afford a photographer, that’s always my preferred method of commemorating an event. They capture those candid, unstaged moments that can spark so much joy. Check with a local arts school or community college to see if a student would be interested in snapping your event. They’ll appreciate the experience and money – and you’ll get a semi-pro for less money. Win-win!” -Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

If the budget does not allow for a photographer, consider assigning a few family members with photography and creative skills to focus on the photography for the event.

Capturing the memories through photography is an essential part of the planning process that you do not want to miss!

Entertainment

If you want to make the reunion a little extra special and fun, consider additional entertainment like group activities or hiring live musicians.

“ One important thing to keep in mind is that because this event spans generations, a variety of activities should be a focus. That said, you will never please everyone (!!), so consider the larger group rather than one age group or specific group within the family. At the end of the day, everyone is gathering to enjoy each other, catch up, reminisce…everything else is gravy. :)” – Saundra Severtson, wyldmynd.

Here are some additional ideas to consider for your entertainment:

Live Music – Are there musicians in the family? Consider renting a stage or sound system for a family performance.
Trivia or group games.
Outdoor Events (Sports, water slides)
Professional entertainers
Hired musicians and bands
Family talent Show

Start Planning the Family Reunion Schedule

Back to your “Master Planning” document. As you make decisions with vendors, food, and entertainment, make sure to update your document.

You will create a “Schedule” section for the week of the reunion. This section is important to plan early in the process, as it can be overwhelming to organize the week of.

Schedule out 1-2 weeks ahead of the reunion, as well a detailed hourly schedule the day before the reunion, the reunion itself, and the clean up day. When you’re planning the prep day, which would be the day before the reunion, be as detailed as you can! Include the names of people in your family if you can delegate duties like cooking, shopping, decorating, or managing vendor deliveries.

A sample prep day schedule would look like this:

10:00 AM – Table and Chair Delivery at Family Ranch

12:00 AM – Monica brings table cloths and decorations; Johnson side of family decorates

2:00 PM – Gary goes to Costco to buy appetizers, lasagna ingredients, plates, and forks

3:30 PM – Deliver the food to the Family Ranch

4:00 PM – Stephanie and kids build photo family tree after driving in from Michigan

5:30 PM – Light appetizers and drinks set up for family

6:30 PM – Pre-family reunion appetizers and cocktails at the Family Ranch

If you don’t have enough people to help you in person, consider hiring an assistant to help during the reunion. Sometimes the locations will provide an event planner or operations manager as part of your rental package. Make sure to stay in close communication with them!

Re-visit Budget and Delegate Responsibilities

As you go through the planning process, you will need to update the budget to reflect new vendor expenses.

Celebrating Your Family with Family Reunion Decorations

As you plan the reunion, ask your family members to bring photos for a large family collage!

Photo collection of little girl with her mom

“I’d recommend asking folks in your family to send photos and make a big collage of the family throughout the years. It’s a lovely way to honor those who came before us, and it’s fun to see which cousins look like great grandma Dorothy and great uncle Mel!”- Saundra Severtson

Keepsake /T Shirts

One popular way that many families preserve the memory of family reunions is through a family reunion t-shirt!

Check out our article called “ The Ultimate Guide To Fun Family Reunion Shirt Ideas ” for a guide on how to plan and create family reunion t-shirts.

Phase Three: It’s Time for the Reunion!

2 -3 weeks before the reunion up to the reunion day!

It’s go time! It’s the week of the reunion.

The details and communication process matter the most in the moments leading up to the event.

Once the reunion starts, try to have everything managed so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and have an amazing time with your family!

It’s Time to Re-confirm the Details

Double check your detailed event schedule.

This is when you return back to your “Master” / “Hero” planning document. Double-check your schedule and make sure all updates and changes are entered into it.

Here are the most important details you need to re-confirm the week of the reunion:

Food shopping and prep: Will Aunt Pamela be delivering and cooking the food? Will your catering company take care of the main meal? Will you still need to shop for and prepare appetizers or drinks?
When can you decorate the venue? Who can help you decorate?
Vendor deliveries: When will tables and chairs be delivered? Is there anyone who can help set these up?
Parking at location: Where will guests park? Are there enough spaces at the location?
Will there be transportation provided from the hotel to the venue?
Make sure to pay your vendors on time,
Communicate with your vendors the week before the reunion for any last minute changes or updates.
Do you want families to sit wherever they wish, or is it better to organize a seating arrangement?
How will you communicate the seating arrangements? Will you give guests a table number when they check in?
Will you arrange a check-in table to provide name tags and family reunion information?
Plan for any emergencies: Always have a first aid kit and know where the nearest hospital is.
Schedule for Clean Up

YOU DID IT!!! It’s finally time for the Reunion!

“Remember to ENJOY yourself at the reunion. It’s so important to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor – especially with family. Finally, if you can, hire a day-of person or enlist a friend to help out so you can have fun. They’re your family too!” – Saundra Severtson , Founder of wyldmynd.

The Reunacy team hopes you enjoy an incredible and special reunion with your family! Please let us know how your reunion goes, and if we can add any other helpful content to this post. Keep gathering together!

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Free Samples
Premium Essays
Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
Essay Writing Help
About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ

Essays on family reunion

Studentshare
Family Reunion
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PRIVACY POLICY
COOKIES POLICY

My Family Reunion

A family reunion is an occasion where the extended family members congregate such as all cousins, siblings, parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents for a meal. A family reunion is a sacred gathering of the household members for reacquaintance to each other and bond reconfirming among them. This gathering is there purposely to reassure love, which flows from one member of the family to the other as it goes beyond biological levels. In that regard, a family reunion is not held purposely to show failure, success, or style but it is for the reassurance of love between family members (Alexander, 2014). Family reunion both national and biological is held for the purpose of reflecting the familys present and past to get a better view of the future. This topic will entirely cover the family reunion and its importance of maintaining relationships.

If this sample essay on "My Family Reunion" doesn’t help, our writers will!

Family reunion as it is the reassurance of love and a bonding event has already occurred on many occasions in different places such as on 26th - 27th July 1986 it was held in Sylvester, Georgia. 4th -6th August 2006 in California, Palmdale; July 25th - 27th July 2008 in Taylor, Michigan. July 9th -11th July 2010 in Sylvester, Georgia; 13th - 15th July 2012 in California, Simi Valley. A family reunion is of great importance as it reunites and maintains relationships between family members. This year the fifteenth Bi-Annual family reunion will be celebrated, and we are looking forward to having a blessed event. Our family from the southern in 2014 in Atlanta Georgia gave us a very memorable and beautiful reunion, which made to have tremendous excitements. A family reunion is about having fun: giving glory to God, dancing, and singing, and bringing together young and old in fellowships.

The theme of the year is faithful servants as we are from different parts of the country, state, and city we should have in mind that we are from houses of two rooms and old barns which housed three generations at the same time. Our great-grandparents and grandparents gave birth to this generation while working hard as slaves. For our sake, they persevered the heat of the day for the betterment of our lives. In that case, that is the blood running through our veins, and we are made from the stock of John Henry Hall, Lillie Johnson Choice, and Mack we are supposed not to forget who we are as we are chosen generations of the holy and royal nation. As peculiar people, we need to show our praises fort to him who has called us from darkness and brought us to his marvelous light. In all, let us maintain the dignity and pride we share with one another. In such terms, when you leave this reunion have in mind that we are vines of strong roots which is the legacy that does not have an end. The family is the integral and most important part of the society where a solid family foundation provides us with wisdom, knowledge, and strength to enable us to travel through the journey of life.

Due to that, the family love and unity make us continue congregating for the purpose of fellowshipping with one another as we share bad and good times together. In that regard, as we come together in a reunion God continue smiling on us and gives us the chance of forgiving one another. During the family reunion, the presence of active mentors and leaders will continue to give foundations that will make Faithful Servants in the Christian journey to grow. A family reunion is an important part of the family heritage because it made me meet some of my family members who I did not know like the loveable great aunt, grandfather, and cousins. The family reunion made me realize forgiving, care, sharing, and love that was passed by my great- grandparents down as they were dancing and singing, talking, laughing and hugging as if they did not have any care in the world. The heritage of my family came from parents whom I did not know as my great- grandparent. Children were taught how to respect others and themselves for them to be respected back. Also, they were taught to live within their means and work towards what they want.

To hold a family reunion nowadays help to fill voids in many households as it provides us with an opportunity to go home psychologically for a few days or hours for the enjoyment of a sense of kinship and revisit memories with other members who we share a family tree (Kluin, & Lehto, 2012). In such terms, through a family reunion the generational gaps are bridged. In an extended family, the reunion is an important thing as it helps members of the family to identify new spouses, newborn babies who have joined and relatives who have died recently. It is a great reminder of shortness of life as well as the family life dynamics (Czabotar, & et al., 2014). Reunion gives an opportunity to see as to why we should keep in touch with other family members throughout. In that regard, when reunions are properly planned they are powerful anchors towards giving an extended family the stability during social turbulence and rapid change. The family reunion has many ideas that make it unique to everyone irrespective of age. Such ideas help in storytelling hence enabling members to know each other well. Such stories are so enjoyable when comes to children as they hear what they have never heard before about family members. However, not all stories that are appropriate it is important to tell the respectful ones that promote relationships.

The important part of household life is Family reunion because it preserves relationships, stories, favorite recipes, and fond memories that may last for generations. Family celebrations and gatherings, when given a chance, provides members with a sense of belonging that is deep, bonds that are strong and lasting, and significant values that can be passed from one generation to the other. In family reunions, many social planned activities are implemented at outdoor picnics in particular (Eliot, 2014). Like face painting, pie-eating contests, egg races, and Potato Sack races are held. Participants besides the obvious fun provide family bonding and laughter with an extraordinary opportunity. Some large families allow nametags to be put on with everyone to assist in identification, which finally personalizes the experience of the reunion. Therefore, a family reunion is of great importance as it makes family members to congregate, connect with one another, and provide an opportunity for each person to share values and memories that last a lifetime.

Alexander, B. K. (2014). Bootlegging Tyler Perry/Tyler Perry as Bootlegger: A Critical Meditation on Madeas Family Reunion. Interpreting Tyler Perry: Perspectives on Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality, 15-31.

Czabotar, P. E., Lessene, G., Strasser, A., & Adams, J. M. (2014). Control of apoptosis by the BCL-2 protein family: implications for physiology and therapy. Nature reviews Molecular cell biology, 15(1), 49-63.

Eliot, T. S. (2014). The family reunion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Kluin, J. Y., & Lehto, X. Y. (2012). Measuring family reunion travel motivations. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(2), 820-841.

If you are the original author of this essay and no longer wish to have it published on the SuperbGrade website, please click below to request its removal:

The Difficulties to Form Successful Relationships
Parents Dependency on Domestic Workers in UAE
Bipolar Depressive Disorder
Essay Over the Article Society of Skimmers By Michael Agresta
A Touch of the Ocean
Social Construction of Masculinity
My New Friend Potato

Submit your request

Sorry, but it's not possible to copy the text due to security reasons.

Would you like to get this essay by email?

Sorry, you can’t copy this text :(

Enter your email to get this essay sample.

Don’t print this from here

Enter your email and we'll send you a properly formatted printable version of this essay right away.

How about making it original at only $7.00/page

Let us edit it for you at only $7.00 to make it 100% original!

English Literature
Short Stories
Literary Terms
Web Stories

What is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion

Table of Contents

The Family Reunion is a thought-provoking play that delves into human nature, family relationships, and the quest for spiritual redemption. T.S. Eliot’s masterful weaving of drama, spirituality, and metaphysics creates a rich and intricate narrative, challenging both characters and audience to confront inner struggles and seek a higher purpose. The play stands as a timeless exploration of the human condition and the transformative power of redemption. What is theWhat is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion summary and theme of The Family Reunion

The Family Reunion Summary

“The Family Reunion” by T.S. Eliot, written in 1939, presents a captivating exploration of redemption, spiritual awakening, and intricate family dynamics. Taking place in England, the narrative revolves around Harry’s return to his familial roots after a prolonged absence, triggering a sequence of psychological and spiritual transformations within the family.

The play opens with the palpable anticipation and tension surrounding the preparations for the family reunion at the ancestral home. As Harry, having lived abroad, reenters the familial sphere, underlying issues and unresolved conflicts among family members become apparent. What is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion

Harry, the central character, is portrayed as a troubled individual haunted by his past, grappling with inner demons. His return initiates a series of events compelling the family to confront hidden secrets and unresolved issues.

The plot takes a mystical turn with the introduction of the Archbishop, a supernatural figure representing a higher power. This character becomes a guiding force, leading the family through a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The inclusion of supernatural elements adds complexity and mystery to the narrative, pushing the characters to confront spiritual and moral dilemmas.

As characters gather, each dealing with personal struggles, the family reunion becomes a crucible for transformation. The Archbishop serves as a catalyst, guiding the characters toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their connection to something greater than the material world. What is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion

Central themes of sin and redemption, drawing on religious and metaphysical elements, are evident. The characters’ sins are laid bare, and the Archbishop becomes a symbol of mercy and forgiveness, offering them a chance at redemption if they confront their past and seek a higher purpose.

My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin Summary
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf context by Edward Albee Summary
And Death Shall Have No Dominion Summary Line By Line

A pivotal moment in the play is the “dumb show,” a silent performance representing the family’s collective guilt and the need for redemption. This symbolic act underscores the idea that actions speak louder than words and that true transformation requires a profound internal change.

As the narrative unfolds, characters grapple with individual struggles, unraveling family dynamics. The resolution is not a tidy happy ending but a nuanced understanding of the characters and their journey. The reunion marks a shift from darkness to light, from sin to redemption.

The Family Reunion Themes

Central to the play is the theme of redemption. The characters, burdened by their sins and moral failings, are presented with an opportunity for spiritual renewal. The Archbishop serves as a symbol of mercy and forgiveness, offering the possibility of redemption through self-examination and a commitment to a higher purpose. What is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion
The dynamics within the family form a crucial aspect of the play. As the characters gather for the family reunion, long-buried conflicts and unresolved issues come to the forefront. The play explores the intricacies of familial relationships, the impact of past actions on the present, and the potential for transformation within the family unit.
The inclusion of the supernatural, particularly through the character of the Archbishop, introduces spiritual and metaphysical dimensions to the narrative. The play delves into questions of existence, divine intervention, and the transcendent aspects of human experience.
The characters grapple with guilt over their past actions, and the play emphasizes the theme of atonement. The need to confront one’s sins and seek forgiveness is a driving force, and the Archbishop becomes a guiding figure in the characters’ journey toward reconciliation and spiritual rebirth.
Each character undergoes a process of individual transformation. The family reunion serves as a catalyst for self-examination and personal growth. The play suggests that true redemption requires a profound internal change, and characters must confront their own flaws and shortcomings to achieve spiritual renewal.
The silent performance within the play, known as the “dumb show,” symbolizes the collective guilt of the family and the imperative for redemption. It underscores the idea that actions speak louder than words, emphasizing the necessity of genuine internal change for meaningful transformation.
The play explores the contrast between darkness and light, both literally and metaphorically. The reunion becomes a symbolic transition from a state of spiritual darkness, characterized by guilt and sin, to a state of spiritual enlightenment and redemption.
T.S. Eliot employs mystery and ambiguity as stylistic elements in the play. The supernatural elements, the enigmatic Archbishop, and the unresolved nature of some plot elements contribute to an atmosphere of uncertainty, challenging the audience to interpret and contemplate the deeper meanings embedded in the narrative.

In conclusion, The Family Reunion by T.S. Eliot stands as a timeless and thought-provoking exploration of human nature, family relationships, and the pursuit of spiritual redemption. The play’s intricate narrative, infused with drama, spirituality, and metaphysics, revolves around the central character, Harry, and his return to the ancestral home, triggering a cascade of psychological and spiritual transformations within the family.

As family members grapple with their individual struggles, the enigmatic presence of the Archbishop introduces supernatural elements, adding depth and mystery to the storyline. Themes of sin and redemption permeate the narrative, emphasizing the characters’ need to confront their past and seek a higher purpose for genuine transformation. What is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion

The family reunion, initially a setting of joyous anticipation, becomes a crucible for personal and collective growth. The silent “dumb show” symbolically underscores the imperative for internal change and the profound nature of transformation. The resolution of the play is not a neat and tidy happy ending but a nuanced understanding of the characters and their evolving journey, marking a transition from darkness to light.

Overall, “The Family Reunion” invites reflection on the human condition and the transformative power of redemption, leaving an indelible mark on the audience’s consciousness. What is the summary of The Family Reunion?,What is the main theme of The Family Reunion?,How does the play The Family Reunion end?,What type of play is The Family Reunion?,What is the significance of the title The Family Reunion by TS Eliot?,

When was “The Family Reunion” written?

“The Family Reunion” was written by T.S. Eliot in 1939.

Who is the central character in the play?

The central character is Harry, who returns to his family after a prolonged absence, triggering a series of transformations within the family.

What role does the Archbishop play in the play?

The Archbishop serves as a mystical figure, symbolizing a higher power or divine force. He guides the characters through a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

How does the play explore themes of sin and redemption?

The characters’ sins and moral failings are exposed, and the Archbishop offers them a chance at redemption if they confront their past and seek a higher purpose.

The 48 Laws of Power Summary Chapterwise by Robert Greene

What is precisionism in literature, what is the samuel johnson prize.

Advertisement
Privacy & Policy
Other Links

Welcome Back!

Remember Me

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription.

My dying wife hoped to inspire people with her essay. They ended up inspiring her.

Not everyone has moments of clarity when they find out they are dying. My wife did.

The letters began arriving months ago at our house and in our inboxes. By my count there are more than 500 of them, and that’s just from strangers.

People were writing to my wife, Amy Ettinger, who died last month at age 49. You might know Amy from her words in these pages about the end of her life .

Her aggressive cancer had winnowed her body, and her strength was so limited that she dictated the essay to me in a sunlit glass-lined reading room at the University of California at Santa Cruz rather than typing it out herself.

As we overlooked a redwood forest, Amy had no way of predicting that the lines she composed on the spot would be calls to action for readers from all over the United States, as well as Canada, Poland, France and Greece.

She was flooded with responses to her essay, which essentially asked: What would your life look like if you cared much less about what other people think of you?

Could life be “a series of moments,” and not the endless pursuit of stability over bliss, or working for some long-delayed dream of post-retirement fulfillment?

Amy had a history of embracing creative risk and adventure, and wrote how putting friends and family first allowed her to face her terminal cancer diagnosis with a deep gratitude for the life she loved.

“Lasting love is about finding someone who will show up for you,” Amy wrote.

And also: “I’ve always tried to say ‘yes’ to the voice that tells me I should go out and do something now, even when that decision seems wildly impractical.”

Her essay touched people near and very far, and for reasons that surprised us, strangers wanted to connect with her before she died. They wanted to share their own stories and gratitude with her.

It offered her a comfort she did not know she needed.

Here are some of the ones that moved her the most.

“I live in a small town in Idaho that is full of hate, and after reading your story, I need to sell and move!” one message read.

Another reader wrote that he felt trapped on a corporate career ladder and was feeling anxious, which was stressing his mental health and close relationships.

“I have 10 chapters of a weird and wonderful novel and haven’t done anything with that in months even though it would probably only take a few solid weeks to finish writing it,” he wrote. “I will carry a tiny piece of your intrepid creative spirit with me as I rearrange my priorities in honor of remembering what’s truly important in life (which … isn’t corporate America).”

For one Los Angeles-based reader, Amy’s column was the tipping point that made him go ahead and book an endlessly postponed trip and reunion with loved ones.

“You helped me to realize I have said NO to too many life-affirming memories, even as our family has experienced a lot of loss over the years,” the reader said. “I am going to let my wife, daughter and son know that I will take that trip to Kastoria, Greece, home of their paternal ancestors, most of whom were taken to the camps during World War II. We will spend wonderful family time in a beautiful place and thank our family who came before us for their sacrifices. And I will think of you and say a prayer and send my eternal gratitude.”

Other readers spoke of lives crammed with tedious complications, from high-maintenance people to useless possessions.

One such reader thanked Amy for “really driving home [the] message to stop faffing around with crap that doesn’t matter and make the most of whatever time I have left. During the past few years of loss, dislocation, and general global craziness, I’ve forgotten this and come pretty close to giving up—on writing, yes, but more than that, on living. Sure, I drag through the motions for the sake of the people I love, but in a way that thumbs a nose at the monumental gift that life truly is. Your story and, again, your utmost humanity in sharing it have flipped a switch in me, and for that, I sincerely and ardently thank you.”

Some readers said the essay helped them realize that moments of joy and repose can lead to resilience in the midst of suffering. If Amy was dealing with Stage 4 cancer and could find so much light in her life, what was their excuse, anyway?

“Oh, how I cried and cried,” one reader said about reading Amy’s essay. “I then printed it out and placed it in my Bible. It’ll stay there so when I’m ready to give up on life again, I’ll read it and keep going.”

But the message that touched Amy beyond the others came from someone she knew, journalist Dania Akkad , who remembered an intervention Amy made on her behalf while working as a reporter for a California newspaper in the early 2000s. Akkad was an intern at the paper .

“We had a writing coach visit that summer,” Akkad recalled. “Long story short, you overheard me in the bathroom saying he’d made a pass at me when I had a meeting to discuss my reporting career (well at least that’s what I thought it was!). You came out of the bathroom stall and you said if I didn’t report this to management, you would.”

“It all felt so embarrassing and awkward and, well, my fault!” Akkad wrote. “Anyway, I did go to management largely because you put the pressure on. However many years later, I am so glad to have done that - and so grateful you interceded in that moment. It’s a fork-in-the-road event that has informed how I respond to this kind of crap. A real teaching moment. So thank you so very much. And thank you too for writing so lucidly about your experience now.”

Not all the notes were that lovely. Inevitably, a few were unwelcome, including missives from ultrareligious people wanting my proudly Jewish wife to get saved to spare herself from hellfire. And she smiled at the messages promoting quack remedies.

The many grateful responses prove that even now, in this era of online trolls and fake feedback generated by bots, engaged and thoughtful people really can make a difference by reaching out, human to human.

She carried this with her in her final weeks as she’d sit with me watching a great blue heron circling the sky over Santa Cruz Harbor. Or pulling up her favorite chair and watching the skateboarders, dog walkers and street basketball players on the other side of her picture window.

In this way, she embodied the spirit of her words. “I have never had a bucket list,” she wrote. “Instead, I said ‘yes’ to life.”

Dan White is the author of “ Under The Stars: How America Fell In Love With Camping ” and “ The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind And Almost Found Myself On The Pacific Crest Trail .” His website is www.danwhitebooks.com .

Stray pigeon flies to animal shelter, is adopted out, will wear diaper April 10, 2024 Stray pigeon flies to animal shelter, is adopted out, will wear diaper April 10, 2024
They were bitter rivals. Then one of them needed a kidney. April 9, 2024 They were bitter rivals. Then one of them needed a kidney. April 9, 2024
‘This is Cecil. He has never done anything bad in his life until he ate $4,000.’ January 3, 2024 ‘This is Cecil. He has never done anything bad in his life until he ate $4,000.’ January 3, 2024

China's Xi says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan

Medium Text

Chinese President Xi Jinping and then Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou smile as they enter the room at the Shangri-la Hotel where they are to meet, in Singapore

"MR. MA YING-JEOU"

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Beijing newsroom; writing by Ben Blanchard; editing by Jason Neely and Shri Navaratnam

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

South Korea holds its 22nd parliamentary election

South Korea's job growth slowed to its lowest in more than three years in March, with the unemployment rate rising, official data showed on Friday.

World Chevron

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) rallies with U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) outside of the U.S. Department of Justice to call for an end to qualified immunity in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis

US lawmakers, activists urge action on migration from, firearms to Haiti

U.S. lawmakers on Thursday called for the country to take further action to stop the flow of firearms to Haiti and to halt the forced return of migrants seeking to flee worsening street violence and shortages of essential supplies.

Supporters of Mali's M5-RFP opposition coalition, gather during a rally at the Independence Square in Bamako

The United States expects an attack by Iran against Israel but one that would not be big enough to draw Washington into war, a U.S. official said late on Thursday.

Print Replica
Election 2024
Russia Attacks Ukraine
Red Hill Water Crisis
Crime in Hawaii
America in Turmoil
Traffic Map
Photo Galleries
Homeless in Hawaii
Volcanic Ash
Latest Sports News
TV & Radio
Sports Blogs
Hawaii Prep World
Hawaii Warrior World
Letters to the Editor
Submit a Letter to the Editor
Arts & Entertainment
State Legals
Political Cartoons
Classifieds
Star Channels
Hawaii Renovation
Email Newsletters
Corrections
Special Sections
Partner Content
Partner Videos
Web Push Notifications
Mobile Apps
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Activate Digital Account
Forgot Password
Customer Service

Thursday, April 11, 2024
Today's Paper

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with family reunions, treats and prayers

By Associated Press
April 9, 2024

Unlimited access to premium stories for as low as $12.95 /mo.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Muslims attend pray at National Mosque for the Eid al-Fitr, marking the end the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

JAKARTA, Indonesia >> The Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was celebrated by Muslims on Wednesday with family reunions, new clothes and sweet treats.

In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, nearly three-quarters of the population were traveling for the annual homecoming known locally as “mudik” that is always welcomed with excitement.

“Mudik is not just an annual ritual or tradition for us,” said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was traveling to Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra island. “This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home.”

Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets teemed with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets. People poured out of major cities to return to villages to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones. Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus and train stations for the journey.

For Arini Dewi, Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory from economic difficulties during Ramadan. “I’m happy in celebrating Eid holiday despite the surge of food prices,” said the mother of two.

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla was among Jakarta residents offering prayers at the Al Azhar mosque yard. “Let’s celebrate Eid al-Fitr as a day of victory from many difficulties… of course there are many social problems during fasting month of Ramadan, but we can overcome it with faith and piety,” Kalla said.

On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, Jakarta residents set off firecrackers on streets that were mostly empty after city residents traveled home.

On Wednesday morning, Muslims joined communal prayers shoulder-to-shoulder on the streets and inside mosques. Jakarta’s Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was flooded with devotees offering the morning prayers.

Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.

“This is the time for Muslims and non-Muslims to show humanitarian solidarity, because the conflict in Gaza is not a religious war, but a humanitarian problem,” said Jimly Asshiddiqie who chairs the advisory board of the Indonesian Mosque Council.

In Pakistan, authorities have deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to keep security at mosques and marketplaces. People were shopping as usual Tuesday, with women buying bangles, jewelry and clothes for themselves and their children.

In Malaysia, ethnic Malay Muslims performed morning prayers at mosques nationwide just weeks after socks printed with the word “Allah” at a convenience store chain sparked a furor. Many found it offensive to associate the word with feet or for it to be used inappropriately.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for unity and reconciliation in his message on the eve of Eid, saying no groups should be sidelined based on religion or any other reason.

“We must be firm, resolute and unwavering in our commitment to foster values and build a dignified nation,” he said. “However, let us not take this as a license or opportunity to insult, undermine, or damage the cultural practices and way of life of others.”

The owners of the KK Mart chain and representatives from one of its suppliers were charged with offending the religious feelings of Muslims. KK Mart Group said the supplier sent items the company had not agreed to stock. The supply company founder apologized for being careless in the inspection of the imported items.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service . An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines .

Having trouble with comments? Learn more here .

John Calipari departs Kentucky after 15 years

Israel vows retaliation if iran attacks from its soil.

Click here to see our full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Submit your coronavirus news tip.

Be the first to know

Looking back.

April 1997: San Diego Padres beat St. Louis Cardinals in first-ever MLB game at Aloha Stadium

China's Xi says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan as he meets with ex-leader

Chinese President Xi Jinping told former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday that outside inference could not stop the “family reunion” between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait , and that there are no issues that cannot be discussed.

Since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communists, no serving Taiwanese leader has visited China.

Ma, president from 2008 to 2016, last year became the first former Taiwanese leader to visit China, and is now on his second trip to the country, at a time of simmering military tension across the strait.

Ma had been widely expected to meet Xi this time around, having first met Xi in Singapore in late 2015 for a landmark summit shortly before the current Taiwan president, Tsai Ing-wen, won election.

Ma Ying-jeou, left, and Xi Jinping in Singapore

Meeting Ma in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where foreign leaders normally hold talks with top Chinese officials, Xi said that people on both sides of the strait are Chinese.

“External interference cannot stop the historical trend of reunion of the country and family,” Xi said, in comments reported by Taiwanese media.

Xi did not elaborate but in Chinese terminology referring to external interference over Taiwan is generally aimed at the support Taipei gets from Western countries like the United States, especially arms sales which infuriate Beijing.

People on both sides of the strait are Chinese, Xi said.

“There is no rancor that cannot be resolved, no problem that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate us.”.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically-governed Taiwan under its control, and has ramped up military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty claims.

Ma told Xi that tensions have caused unease for many Taiwanese.

“If there is a war between the two sides, it will be unbearable for the Chinese people,” Ma said, using a term that refers to people who are ethnically Chinese rather than their nationality.

“Chinese on both sides of the strait absolutely have enough wisdom to handle all disputes peacefully and avoid heading into conflict.”

Responding to the meeting, Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said it deeply regretted that Ma did not publicly convey Taiwan’s people’s insistence on defending the sovereignty and democratic system of the Republic of China, which remains Taiwan’s formal name.

Beijing should stop intimidating Taiwan and resolve its differences with Taipei through respectful, rational dialogue, it added.

Xi called Ma “Mr. Ma Ying-jeou” rather than “former president,” given neither the Chinese nor Taiwanese governments formally recognize the other. Ma called Xi by title as head of the Communist Party — general secretary.

Tsai and her government reject China’s territorial claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.

China says it will only talk to Tsai if she accepts that both sides of the strait are part of “one China,” which she has refused to do.

Xi has only rarely made public remarks about Taiwan in recent months.

Speaking to U.S. President Joe Biden in early April, Xi urged Washington to translate “Biden’s commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’” into concrete actions.

Xi has also not commented publicly on Taiwan’s January presidential election, won by current Vice President Lai Ching-te, viewed by Beijing as a dangerous separatist and who takes office on May 20.

Ma remains a senior member of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which in January lost the presidential election for the third time in a row but has no official party position.

The KMT advocates close ties with China and dialogue, but strongly denies being pro-Beijing.

International edition
Australia edition
Europe edition

Palestinians pushing bikes and carts walk among debris from Rafah to Khan Younis

Home Office refusal of Gaza family reunion requests ‘irrational’, judge rules

Families succeed in legal challenges after Home Office refused to decide on reunion applications without biometric data

Families in Gaza have won a legal case against the Home Office after a judge ruled the department’s decisions were a “disproportionate interference” in their right to a family life.

Two challenges were brought against the Home Office in February this year after it refused to decide on family reunion applications from families in Gaza without biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs.

In an immigration tribunal judgment handed down in the upper tribunal on 4 April, Judge Jackson and Judge Gleeson ruled in favour of the Palestinian families and quashed the Home Office’s decisions as “disproportionate interference” with their “rights to respect for private and family life”.

The judges found the government department reached “irrational and unreasonable” conclusions to justify its refusal to consider the families’ reunion applications.

The judges also found specific sections of Home Office guidance to be in breach of article 8 of the European convention on human rights (ECHR) as it requires “evidence that a person faces a personal risk of harm, ‘which is separate to the level of risk faced by the wider population’”.

Jackson said: “We do not consider that in the context of the conflict in Gaza … that it is necessary for a person to show that they are specifically targeted to be able to establish that they are at risk due to their personal circumstances.”

More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, since Hamas’s attack on Israel when more than 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage in October last year.

One of the Palestinian families who brought the legal challenge, referred to as RM and others, are parents and two children who applied to reunite with their daughter and sister, who is studying in the UK. The other family, referred to as WM and others, is a Palestinian woman with four young children who applied to join her brother, a British citizen living in the UK.

Both families were forced to flee their homes to the south of Gaza due to Israel’s bombardment. They lacked access to food, water and medical treatment and had close family or friends killed.

The families requested for their family reunion applications to be substantively decided before enrolling biometric data due to the situation in Gaza. The visa application centre in the besieged Strip is closed and the nearest functioning centre is in Cairo, Egypt.

However, the requests were refused by the Home Office in both cases on similar grounds, including that the families’ circumstances were not “materially different to other people in Gaza” or “compelling as to make them exceptional”.

The Islington Law Centre and the Migrants’ Law Project at Asylum Aid brought legal challenges against the Home Office regarding the individual cases and the Home Office’s policy on biometric deferral. The families received an oral decision in the upper tribunal in early March, due to the urgent nature of the claims, and the judgment was handed down last week.

Cecilia Correale, a solicitor at the Islington Law Centre, said: “This is an important judgment with wider consequences which recognises that the Home Office has adopted policies in breach of article 8 ECHR which it is applying to multiple families seeking to be reunited.”

A spokesperson for the Gaza Families Reunited campaign, which is calling for the creation of a Ukraine-style visa scheme for Palestinians trapped in Gaza, said it was “relieved” for the families.

They added: “The Home Office must now urgently rectify its policy and approach to ensure that family members of Palestinians in the UK who are eligible for reunification under existing routes are actually able to exercise their rights.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We have received the outcome of the judicial review proceedings and are considering the impact. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

This article was amended on 8 April 2024 to correct the date that the immigration tribunal judgment was handed down, and to add the information that Judge Gleeson was party to it as well as Judge Jackson.

Guardian Newsroom: Crisis in the Middle East On Tuesday 30 April, 7-8.15pm GMT, join Devika Bhat, Peter Beaumont, Emma Graham-Harrison and Ghaith Abdul-Ahad as they discuss the fast-developing crisis in the Middle East. Book tickets here or at theguardian.live

Home Office
Israel-Gaza war
Middle East and north Africa
Palestinian territories

More on this story

UK will not suspend arms exports to Israel, David Cameron says

There are Tory splits over Gaza, but the party is only really going in one direction – towards Israel

David Lammy says he has ‘serious concerns’ about Israel’s actions in Gaza

Banning arms sales to Israel would be ‘insane’, says Boris Johnson

Labour’s Anas Sarwar joins calls for ban on UK arms sales to Israel

Devastating it took aid worker deaths for Israel to change approach, says senior Tory

Fourth former UK supreme court judge signs letter over Israeli actions in Gaza

Tories investigating Alan Duncan’s comments on party’s pro-Israel ‘extremists’

‘We stand together’: Bradford Muslim and Jewish leaders join forces for Ramadan event

Sadiq Khan says UK arms sales to Israel have ‘got to stop’

IMAGES

How To Start A Family Reunion Letter
🌱 My family reunion essay. My Relationship With Family Reunions Essay
Family Reunion Essay Example
Sample Essay Family Reunion
Essay About Family Reunion
Essay Discussing the Importance of Family

VIDEO

Cowboy Bebop: Welcome to the Ouch Edition (5/7)
TikTok's WORST Family Channels
TikTok Family Channels Just Got WORSE
My Beautiful Family || My Family essay || Family Essay in English || Essay on My Family|| #family
How to Host a Family Gathering
essay

COMMENTS

The Joys and Surprises of Attending and Organizing Family Reunions
A family reunion on television is prepared and organized, unlike a family reunion in reality where it is sometimes unorganized. For example, a family reunion on television shows organization because they make sure everything is planned and there is no confusion such as what is going on each day of the weekend and no mix-ups or changes made and every family member has an invitation.
The Importance of Reunions: High School, Family, and Friends
A reunion with friends is different than high school or family reunions. This reunion involves friends who have known us for a long time and have seen us through an entirely different lens than ...
Why Family Reunions Are Still Important
An Ode to the Family Reunion. These days, it's all too easy to swap FaceTime for face time—but maintaining genuine connections with loved ones remains important. Here, one writer makes the case for getting the whole family together once a year. Since the early 1980s, the Healys have organized a family reunion every year without fail.
Descriptive Essay About A Family Reunion
849 Words. 4 Pages. Open Document. My family and I are going to a family reunion for most of the day so my Dad, Mom, Brother are in the car heading to where we are meeting. It is the middle of summer so it is hot. So when we get home later my dad has a really bad accident from a ladder that is unexpected during the summertime at our house.
A Family Reunion: Personal Narrative
A Family Reunion: Personal Narrative. The topic selected for narrative essay is family reunion. The paper will highlight the prewriting strategies in the first paragraph and the narrative essay will be given in the second paragraph. In order to compose the essay, free writing style strategy will be adopted. This strategy is used to think about ...
The Complete Guide to Planning a Memorable Family Reunion
13. Create a Keepsake for the Reunion. Ensure everyone has a way to remember all the fun you had at the family reunion by creating a keepsake, like a t-shirt or a group photo. If your budget has room to purchase matching t-shirts for everyone attending the reunion, you could create a design to commemorate the event.
6 Things to Know About Planning a Family Reunion
2. Make the reunion committee inclusive. A range of ages and incomes will help ensure there are activities that everyone can enjoy and afford, experts say. "You want to have people who represent the youngsters, your families with children, and then our seniors," says Harris. "People feel it when they are left out.".
Personal Narrative Essay: A Trip To A Family Reunion
Personal Narrative Essay: A Trip To A Family Reunion. It was the beautiful month of October in 2012 that I was privileged to go to a family reunion, of my father's side of the family, in South Dakota. I was overwhelming with joy and excitement to see my favorite cousins, Ethan and Austin. That excitement was superseded also by the fact of how ...
The Memory of Family Reunion
I believe in family reunions. It was on my 15th birthday. My family and friends gathered in our house at Ikorodu, Nigeria for the big party. People were carrying plates of different kinds of food and drink in their hands. The songs played by the DJ were loud enough to damage the hearing of a new born baby. I was happy to see my cousins, whom I ...
How to Plan and Organize a Family Reunion
Create a time line reminder. Make good use of Family Reunion Planner organizers that feature schedulers and time line reminders. Make use of Event Planning Software with editable worksheets and templates. 4. Schedule the next meeting one or two months away and follow up on all action items.
My First Family Reunion
Thesis Statement: Family is very important, as it says in the Bible: "A house that is divided cannot stand". I attended my first family reunion when I was twelve years old. This was no ordinary family reunion; it involved my extended family, and lasted overnight. It was an overall fun experience and it brought me closer to my family.
The Family Reunion Critical Essays
The Family Reunion, T. S. Eliot's second full-length play, is a significant contribution to the world of verse drama.After Murder in the Cathedral (1935), Eliot declined all invitations to write ...
family reunion essay
Having an adequate location is essential to having a fun family reunion. Keeping the quantity of people attending, budget, weather, and how long the reunion will last in mind, try to choose a setting that can accommodate all family members. "The longer a reunion lasts, the more space you should have to spread out" (Haltzman).
The Family Reunion Summary
Summary. Last Updated September 5, 2023. T. S. Eliot's The Family Reunion is a two-act play composed in blank verse. It was first produced in 1939 (following the comparatively successful Murder in ...
Descriptive Essay On A Family Reunion
1049 Words. 5 Pages. Open Document. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Show More. In the early summer of 2015 my mom, sister and I went to a family reunion in Huntsville Alabama. This was the second family reunion that I had been to in my life. I was happy to go up and see family that I had never seen before or heard about.
How to Plan a Family Reunion: A Checklist, Guide + Tips from Experts
Throughout the family reunion planning process, remind yourself that you're planning for an entire family; one full of personalities and opinions. Keep focused on the goals, plan from a place of love, not obligation. Keep fun and feeling and memories at the forefront of everything you do throughout the planning process.".
Essays on Family Reunion. Free essay topics and examples about Family
The Family reunion is one of the most popular assignments among students' documents. If you are stuck with writing or missing ideas, scroll down and find inspiration in the best samples. Family reunion is quite a rare and popular topic for writing an essay, but it certainly is in our database.
Descriptive Essay On Family Reunion
Descriptive Essay On Family Reunion. Long rides to Pennsylvania for a giant family reunion means singing out our lungs and falling asleep on each other for my sister Katelynn and I. My family is from two different states Pennsylvania and North Carolina. We go up for a family reunion to catch up with our relatives every year and always have the ...
My Family Reunion Free Essay, Research Paper Example
This topic will entirely cover the family reunion and its importance of maintaining relationships. If this sample essay on "My Family Reunion" doesn't help, our writers will! Trust an expert. Family reunion as it is the reassurance of love and a bonding event has already occurred on many occasions in different places such as on 26th - 27th ...
What is the summary and theme of The Family Reunion
The Family Reunion is a thought-provoking play that delves into human nature, family relationships, and the quest for spiritual redemption. T.S. Eliot's masterful weaving of drama, spirituality, and metaphysics creates a rich and intricate narrative, challenging both characters and audience to confront inner struggles and seek a higher purpose.
Essay About Family Reunion
Essay About Family Reunion. 1330 Words3 Pages. "The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you." -Kendall Hailey. Many people among us think that a family reunion is boring. It is an unpleasant social affair where our parents drive us to go and ...
People near and far were inspired by Amy Ettinger essay
Amy Ettinger in a San Francisco restaurant on Mother's Day 2023 before her cancer diagnosis. (Dan White) The letters began arriving months ago at our house and in our inboxes. By my count there ...
Pacific castaways' 'HELP' sign sparks US rescue mission
The mission also unexpectedly turned into a family reunion. The three men had been planning to fish the waters around the Pikelot Atoll, part of Micronesia, on March 31 when their 20-foot open ...
China's Xi says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan
Chinese President Xi Jinping told former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday that outside inference could not stop the "family reunion" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and that ...
Descriptive Essay About Family Reunion
Descriptive Essay About Family Reunion. I will never forget that warm summer's day in Florida at the Kissimmee Lake with my extended family members. This was a trip my parents long planned for as we needed to escape the bare trees, lawns masked in orange leaves, blustery fall in Kentucky and feel the warmth of the sun in Florida in 2006.
301 Moved Permanently
301 Moved Permanently. nginx
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Tim Burton, Michael Keaton Surprise CinemaCon
Tim Burton Says Gathering 'Beetlejuice' Team for Sequel "Was Like a Weird Family Reunion" The Tim Burton-directed fantasy comedy, a sequel to the beloved 1988 original, is set for release ...
China's Xi says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan as he
Ma Ying-jeou, president from 2008 to 2016, last year became the first former Taiwanese leader to visit China and is now on his second trip to the country at a time of simmering military tension ...
Home Office refusal of Gaza family reunion requests 'irrational', judge
The families requested for their family reunion applications to be substantively decided before enrolling biometric data due to the situation in Gaza. The visa application centre in the besieged ...