Fun, Food And Fellowship
At The Family Reunion

It’s a “Southern Thang,” we think, and a part of our heritage for which we ought to be thankful -the Annual Family Reunion. The time has arrived for most who first gather at gravesides of loved ones gone on and then retreat with picnic baskets in hand to the designated spot for friend chicken, casseroles, deviled eggs, banana puddings, pound cakes and corn . . . ahh, my Aunt Sylvia’s corn. I knew it was coming – she told me so, but I didn’t see the red thermos container in which it had been transported up the mountain for as long as I can remember. I was about to panic, but relieved when her daughter, Sarah Jo, lifted a lid and informed me that my pot of gold was indeed on the table. The little red container, she said, was getting old and ugly, had made its last trip. I was sad about that for only a moment. I did miss the container that always held the best tasting corn in the world, but even more, I missed Aunt Sylvia who hasn’t been able to attend for several years.

Making memories under the old shade tree. Photos by Sherrie Norris

Our gratitude goes to Uncle Daymon Pritchard and his family for providing a nice place to gather every year.

I missed others, as well, unable to be with us. Cousin David, a Sergeant in the National Guard, is fighting for our country in Iraq; Cousin Janice’s husband Pete, Aunt “Tootie” and Cousin Scott’s wife, Celena, were “under the weather.” Cousin Jason, on a cruise; Our “Celebrity Cousin,” Richard, from the Washington DC area, an esteemed editor of USA Today made it “home” last year, but not this one.

Among those present were Dusty, a recent graduate of NC State University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, making us all proud as he heads west to Washington to claim his job with Boeing – designing and building big ol’ jets. Not bad for a boy raised on the farm. His cousins, Joshua and Shaun and their fiancés were there, inviting the kin to their weddings coming up a month apart. Joshua has made a fine preacher, we hear. Nancy the Registered Nurse is working the recovery room, joining the two Gails, Doug’s wife, also a nurse, and my sister, in the medical profession helping hurting people.

We always count on Helen for a good laugh, though no one has known more sorrow than this precious gal. She knows how to appreciate family gatherings better than anyone and is truly a rose among the thorns. Her husband Steve, bothers Scott and Doug, along with their dad, our dear Uncle Daymon Pritchard, along with wife Ruby, have made our reunion a special event the last few yeas. They invite us to their homeplace where we sit under the shade tree, talk about the ones that ain’t there, reminisce about days gone by and dreams for the future. There’s always a few comments thrown in for good measure about weight, but usually no one notices when it’s been lost!

We blamed Doug for no port-a-john there this year, since he got turned over in one two years back by two members of the “weaker sex.” Seems like everybody was afraid to go in it last year, so they just decided to leave it off this time. (Provisions were made, nevertheless!) Lon Wiseman, still missing my cousin, his sweet Joyce, was there with daughter Judy and family, and looking for a good recipe for pickled beans and corn. Seems like his baby girl, Lonita, who flies the friendly skies for a living, loves that stuff and the family wants to surprise her at Christmas.

Cousin Calvin joined us for the first time in years, along with sisters, Mildred, Jean, Sue and sweet husband, Myron, one of the mailmen in the family, along with Cousin Eugene. His mom, “Aunt Florence,’ her daughter and granddaughter were glad to head to the hills out of the scorching heat, but still found it pretty warm for Avery County, as did Cousin Roger Pyatte and Vickie, “Aunt Margaret” and the Sonny Taylors. We all felt safe with Danny and Lee, the family “guards” standing by, while the rest of us, pretty regular in attendance and living nearby, are always standing by with open arms to welcome those who return for the day.

Why take up this space to talk about my family reunion, you may ask. Well, it’s pretty simple. We all know that nothing is forever and even this long-held tradition, going on since the matriarch of the family died in the ‘30’s, will one day come to an end as well.

We are the descendents of Eliam and Vettie Wilson Pritchard, both laid to rest with several of their offspring and in-laws, on a peaceful Avery County hillside at Little Plumtree. Of their eleven children, my dad was the first to pass on nearly fourteen years ago. Today, only five survive – Sylvia, Daymon, Margaret, Florence and “Tootie.” We may never pass this way again . . so why should I miss the chance to celebrate my heritage . . . to share the joys and the sorrows . . .to say “Thank You” to those who have helped forge the way for our family? If you haven’t had your family reunion yet, I hope that you will anticipate it with joy – make it count – and never leave until you make someone smile. Funerals, weddings and family reunions- usually the only occasions we have to be together – don’t let the more pleasant opportunities slip away. Make a difference while you still can, even if it means having to hug that one relative you really don’t like anyway! It might be your last chance.

 

 

Don’t forget your copy of “Lovin’ Spoonful . . . Cooking With Family and Friends,” a compilation of nearly 400 mouth-watering recipes by Sherrie Norris. It is available at all locations of High Country Media – Boone, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, and at The Avery Journal in Newland, all Boone Drugs, Black Bear Books, Trailway Laundry, Wilcox Emporium,( top level, booth 312-W,) and beginning June 15 at Mast Store locations.