Considering how far apart we all live, we have managed to have an amazing amount of Pierce family reunions. I know some families never all get together, but somehow we have managed to all (or most) gather together fairly frequently. I was just thinking about some of those fun times together today so thought I would write about that.
The year we were at Shell Point to see Grandma, all at the same time, remember that?? She reserved the motel for us all and fed us in the Crystal dining room. I remember how you girls planned the table seating in that fancy dining room so that the boys wouldn't pull any pranks and embarass Grandma Pierce. Grandma was so proud to have all of her family there and had to introduce us to everyone. Now that I am an old lady and have all my family far away, I can appreciate the pride a mother has in her family and wants everyone to know them.
We used the pool and hung out in our rooms when Grandma Pierce was resting. Our family was asked to do a Sunday morning service at Shell Point church. We all did something - singing, testimony, sermon - and Rachel sang a song all by herself in Arabic. She was very young then but was not shy at all about singing! One day we went to Sanibel Island and had fun at the beach together. I think Grandma gave that day a miss. But it was a good time together - as always.
Another reunion that comes to mind is when most of you came to Bobo for a get together. I think that was the first time Jennie had come to Africa and she was such a good sport about everything. Colmans lived next to us and had gone on vacation so we were able to house everyone right there and all ate together at our house. We have some good pictures still that remind us of that special time.
After our retiral from Africa we lived for six months in the ATS apartments on Nyack campus. That summer when we all arrived in the States we had a reunion in Nyack. Again it was a fun time. We got permission to use the downstairs big lounge for eating and getting together. One memory I have of that reunion was all the little girls getting together and planning "programs" for the adults to enjoy: singing and doing little speeches, etc. We also have some good pictures of that reunion.
A surprise reunion for us was when you all planned our fiftieth wedding celebration at First Alliance church. Wow - that was a biggie. One of my treasures from the reunion is the lovely memory book Katy made for us, with letters from you all and pictures and beautiful, clever decorations. What a treasure. You all worked so hard to make that beautiful meal and cake and invited everyone to come. The speeches and the music were great. I remember Elizabeth's solo which was beautiful. (I never heard her sing again during her four years here in college!!) And the big cash gift for a cruise - which we used to return to Africa for a visit. So many of our extended family was there and again we have good pictures to remind us of a beautiful family reunion.
Thanksgiving a few years ago was a special time as we all got together up at Helen for an overnight and Thanksgiving Day. That was very special - we had a corridor of motel rooms where we all stayed. I remember so well Jennie and the teenagers all talking late into the night and having fun. There was a big fire in the fireplace there in our building and again we took lots of pictures. The reunion terminated with a gorgeous Thanksgiving meal in the hotel - linen and china and an enormous buffet of everything imaginable - and no one had to cook! I think that was Debbi's idea - and a great one. I think only a couple of boys were absent for that.
Jennie's death and funeral was a sad but beautiful reunon of many of us. Sanou Prosper and Jennie's family were all with us there in Buford as well. Jennie's mom fixed Puerto Rican food; people sent into the house every kind of delicacy - homemade and speciality foods. It was a sad time for all and we shed many tears together, but there was also the family solidarity that was still there as we mourned the passing of our beautiful Jennie.
Most of us were also present for a reunion at Council a couple of years ago. Jason was going to the field so Mark and Katy and family were there, John came and the girls and spouses were all on home assignment. So we were a gang of Pierce's and related ones. We got together as often as possible - early in the morning at the hotel and late at night. Mark treated us all to a beautiful meal at a restaurant along with Jasons' parents. It was a very special time! Mamou was there from Burkina and was so delighted to see her Mark and his wife and children!
Just last year many of us got together in Westerville, Ohio, to celebrate John and Sheryl's marriage. We stayed at John's and in hotels, a good time to get together and support John in a new phase of his life. The ceremony was beautiful and held in a quaint church, with many family members participating. We enjoyed that beatiful home and also the lovely reception at a high end restaurant after the ceremony. Another memory in our memory book - and lots of pictures to remind us as well of yet another time we all got together.
Family solidarity - we have it. How thankful Dad and I are for each one of you and what you mean to us. You are each individuals and yet you join together with us to form The Pierce Clan. Thank you for your love and support - you're the greatest!
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