Every summer, I share this story. Usually, somewhere someone is attending a family reunion. I know they can relate. You love going, but you know there can possibly be some drama. Try not to let the drama get to you. Just enjoy your family while you can. Here is my family reunion story (Most is fictional).
When it comes to family reunions, we all have a story to tell.
Even when things don’t go well,
Everyone has a memory to treasure,
What matters most is the time spent together.
No matter the family name
Every reunion seems the same
There’s always a favorite Grandpa,
Grandma, a favorite Aunt or Uncle,
That keeps the family going
Without knowing,
They are the family glue.
One day, they will cement
the memories everyone holds onto.
If we keep living,
There are some things that are a given
One day we will be gathering under a tree
Trying to see what we can see,
Checking out everyone that comes within our sight,
Looking to see whose pants are too tight
Or whose skirt is too short..
There is always the gathering of the family court.
The women gather to discuss who has gained weight since last year
While the men go where the women can’t hear,
Grab a brew and discuss who is doing who.
It’s almost like a competition.
The one you least expect makes an admission.
Of all people, Uncle George
Admits that he’s been creepin
While Aunt Mamie is sleepin.
Everybody looks at him and rolls their eyes
Cause they know he ain’t doing nothing but talking lies.
You see, it don’t take a wizard
To see that Aunt Mamie is,
as Grandma would say,
"Crazier than a road lizard."
Besides, Uncle George just ain’t going out that way.
Every family has a Madea to fear.
She is always ready to box the children’s ears.
She has a powerful punch
And is not afraid to stand up to anyone in the bunch.
Madea don’t play.
When they say crazy, Madea is crazy with a double z.
In every family there is always a family disgrace.
You know, the person who gets drunk and throws up all over the place.
Inevitably, somebody makes a liquor run and disappears
Only to reappear like magic, just before its time to say
their last goodbyes.
Nobody bothers anymore to wonder why.
What would a reunion be without a little excitement?
It seems as if someone is hell-bent
On causing a fight.
It doesn’t matter.
This time next year,
nobody remembers that night.
Well, they might remember,
But come September,
They are already making plans for the next reunion.
After all who wants to miss the family reunion.
When it’s all said and done,
We are and always will be, family.
We will always forget our differences and sing,
“We are family. I got all my people with me.”
Because we are and always will be, family!
copyright P. Newman-Harris