reunion reminiscing

Every 3 years, my husband's side of the family has a family reunion on the farm in Iowa.  It's a time for everyone from all across the country can "come home", catch up, have a beer (or two), and relax with a deep breath. The farm is quiet and peaceful during the day, but as the afternoon moves to evening the kegs get lighter as the bonfire gets bigger! There are many things I love about going to the farm: the sheep! there are always lambs to bottle feed and who can resist that? The rows of corn and beans in the fields. The quiet during the walk through those fields is amazing. No trains, no sirens, no cartoons blaring. Just wind and birds calling. I love how laid back it feels. I love the worn wood of the barns and the dusty lane as we drive up. I love the way the sun looks as it moves over the behind the farm and shines through Lona's small windmill in her flowers. I love that everyone just knows that this is their home.
Friday is the big arrival day. Family come from all over. Some sleep in their giant RV's, some in smaller campers, some on the floor of the house, most in tents. "Albert's Tent City!"  Friday is spent hugging, setting up camp, tending to bonfires, and then roasting hot dogs around that fire. Everyone gets a drink and settles in around the fire, music is playing and everything is good. Saturday is the official reunion day. We always start the day with a big breakfast, followed by the arrival of all the other family who live close enough to just drive in for the day. Food starts getting put out, then the MEN bring out that roast pig that has been on the roaster since the night before. It is definitely a MEN ONLY job, as tradition will have it. Tasting and beer drinking is required. But before the eating comes my absolute FAVORITE part. All in attendance stands around in a circle, we hold hands, and we count off. There is something solemn in the counting. It is hard not to think about those that are not there to count with us this year: Mark's uncle Dale just that week, and his mother, Dorothy have passed on since the last reunion. We have also welcomed new babies that have added to our numbers. This year marks the most in attendance ever, 121 family! Overwhelming for sure. And then we give thanks. That thankfulness to God for family and friends, for getting together and for a concrete visual of the body of your family that is there for you is an emotional thing. A powerful thing. And I'm glad for it!