"Family Reunions. Who does them? Apparently, we do!"

                    Reflections Of… Family!

                                                                by Alan P. Scaglione

Rain was fierce Friday night! Thunder, Lightning… and torrential downpour!
This did NOT bode well.
At 10:45, I called my sister Belinda, who was leading this year’s Family Reunion.
“Sis- it’s raining over here. And it’s been raining for 4 hours straight—the ground is going to be soggy tomorrow. Should we cancel?”
And she said to me something I never expected…
“Girl scouts say do not cancel unless for safety!”
What the heck was that about?
I’m not a boy scout—I used to beat up the boy scouts! Sorry, unfortunately, that is true. I regret it now, but back then, I was a bruiser!!
So… she was not relenting!
And I caved—“See ya in the morning—7:30? Don’t be late; I’ll be waiting for you to pick me up!”
I just knew it was going to be disastrous!
And then…morning came!
Bright sun, clear skies, no rain on the ground!
What just happened here?
It was a perfect day!
She even used her connections to get us the BEST shelter in the Park!
All of a sudden—we were at the shelter right by the playground, with 8 tables—usually costs $125 to reserve—we got it for free!!
And they started trickling in—one family at a time—more than we expected—all glad to be at the reunion—and to be in our family.
I had mentioned to colleagues that we were having a family reunion. Their response was overwhelmingly “who does that anymore?”
Apparently, The Cabreras!
And then it happened…
“Hi Nano—let’s go play!”
Jett and his mom and dad and sweet sister Cali had come to the picnic.
IT was a first time!
And I was elated!!!
Jett took his Nano everywhere he went. To the swing, to the sandbox, to the ship to play pirates, to the field to fly a kite.
We were inseparable!
My wife tells me that Jett likes me so much because I play with him like a big kid! Hmmm? What’s she saying? I AM a big kid!!
One of my favorite moments of the day came when my son, I and Jett were in the field playing Bocci Ball!
That’s an Italian game with balls, kind of like a cross between horseshoes and lawn bowling. Very popular in Italy!
And I thought—my family is looking at the 3 generations of Scagliones—Jett, Schuyler, Alan—and I am so proud to be in this family!
It was just priceless!
Our patriarch spoke to the family. He talked about his parents and then, he presented all of us with a 4x6 picture of Pedro and Teresa Cabrera.
The younger ones were impressed; the older ones were nostalgic—all of us felt a sense of legacy. Our family past, present and future—under a shelter.
I couldn’t help remember the scripture that says in Psalm 127:
Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
And I thought of those who have gone before us: Pedro and Teresa, My Mama Rose, Uncle Pete, Uncle Chito, Aunt Ciria and now, my brother Joe.
I felt proud to carry on their legacy—to represent them for those who didn’t know them—to share their stories with Jett and Cali and Dawson and Fisher.
And I was honored to pass on my heritage to my son and now, to his son!
What about you?
Think it’s time to plan a family picnic?
I can promise—you will be amazed by what you will experience—just sharing life, sharing love, sharing watermelon!

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Brother “A”

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