The Whole Fan-dam-ly

I've been blessed with the best family in the world!  My mother's family has always been very close and as a child I always looked forward to our annual family reunion each Fourth of July.  The reunion was structured the same each year: senior salutes for graduates, mission reports from the missionaries, talent show, daily devotionals before breakfast, family olympics, flag ceremony when there were boy scout age boys, lots of games (mostly Nertz), and lots of singing.

Some of my fondest memories are from those reunions.  With my family there is a feeling of security, acceptance, appreciation, love and camaraderie that just can't be duplicated.  Leaving a family reunion was always so sad.  As I kid I didn't understand the emotions that arose at the end of a reunion; now I understand those feelings were the recognition that I was returning to "real life" where things less constant, friends less devoted, experiences less memorable.  It is still so sad to say goodbye to family and accept the ominous return of real life after several days of pure happiness and peace.

I LOVE my family!