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If there is anything that the COVID-19 pandemic taught us is that there is nothing more important than the people you love and who love you. Like many families, we were separated from loved ones for weeks and months that rolled onto years.
Birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, births, graduations and other celebrations were canceled. Time stood still as days dragged into endless worry and fear. There were frantic phone calls announcing the latest family member and friends to pray for as the virus took hold.
Through it all, we learned the deep importance of the human touch especially when it was no longer available. For some of us, the pandemic will always remind us of the loss of people close to us. For others, it will be viewed simply as an inconvenience.
Last month my large, extended family on my parents' side put all those pandemic memories aside and celebrated in a way that had been lost for so long. A family reunion of more than 80 people will be forever remembered as the day nothing would keep us apart.
It was a glorious day despite several sudden downpours that forced us to huddle together under a large tent in the backyard of my sister K.C. and her husband Russell in Pennsylvania. They generously played host to this event that allowed cousins to be introduced to the littlest of cousins new to the family. From babies to the eldest, friendships were formed and renewed amid tears and laughter.
My youngest brother Jamie and his wife Susie put together a video of family photos that took us all on a journey down memory lane. It included never-before-seen photos of our parents and their childhood families. Also, my 11 siblings and I contributed photos of our families that were shown on the streaming video.
A professional photographer was on hand to record the day's events and allow new memories to be captured for future generations to view.
It had been a long time since we had this many family members gathered in one spot to celebrate the blessings that we have been given. There was no talk of politics or other divisive topics -- just lots of shared stories and memories.
Dodging the raindrops from time to time, we still managed to balance paper plates of food and enjoy games.
When it was time to go home, it was hard to leave such a meaningful gathering. We had learned to live and appreciate each day, and this one would go down in the books as one of the best.
Family reunions have been a big part of the Ohio Valley landscape for decades. I hope that they continue for generations to come. A popular wedding song by Peter, Paul and Mary stated, "When two or more of you are gathered in His name, there is love." I know that to be a fact. Just ask any of the family members who attended Hammfest 2023. I think they would agree.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.