"we are family"

we spent last weekend at richard's family reunion. what a GREAT time we had!! we spent time talking, playing games, shopping a craft/antique/thrift fare, swimming, and floating down the river on inner tubes. there was a mild incident involving a long rope hanging from a high tree over the river - just begging to be swung on. i will ASSURE you that i thoroughly assessed the depth of the water at various points before partaking in the swinging fun. (even though everyone told me it was safe and they had been doing it all day) nothing quite like a spinal cord injury or broken leg to mess up a fun time with family, that is all i am saying. after checking it our for myself - it was a BLAST!!

every year we have a family auction. we all bring things to the reunion to auction off and the money raised all pays for the next years reunion. (that is what the bank shaped like texas on the previous post was made for.) that way, no one has to worry about whether or not they can afford to go to the reunion. it is really nice. you spend what you and your family see fit at the acution, and get a great family keepsake while ensuring the next years festivities. it is a great idea. i will tell you what makes it, not just 'great' or a good 'fiscal' thing to do. it shows the love the family has for each other like nothing else can.

it is fun to love each other while shopping and playing and being silly. but the love that you see when two brothers bid against each other (in good spirits) b/c they both want what their sister, made; or when you see "the brothers" (our late grandfather's brothers - oldest generation in the family) bid against eachother for the photo album of pictures from their childhood that our grandmother brought to the auction (knowing full well, that regardless of who wins it, it will be for all to share); or the son who won't settle until he is taking home the picture his cousin painted of his father (and others) from a hunting trip - that is the love that makes your heart pound, it makes your hands tingle, your heart swell, and your eyes pool with tears. that is the love that moves you and grows you and changes you and compells you. that is the love that is unmistakably a gift from the Lord.

i praise God for that love, and i thank everyone for their work in making yet another reunion an abounding success!