Day 8: Getting Together Again

Wish 8: Reunions

Yesterday, I spent some time with my brother before his operation (which went well, by the way). We recalled the weirdest things of our youth. Believe it or not, we do have some silent Super-8mm film showing how he kept his hands in his pockets during a family vacation, so that he wouldn't go shopping. (Note to self: must find out how to convert it to digital).

In the last post, I also talked about family traditions. I just recalled one that went missing because of circumstances.

Back in the old country, my parents with us 9 kids (and spouses and grandkids) would head to the mountains just after Christmas and come back just after New Year. It was a nice tradition that allowed our family to enjoy some time together. Most times, our cousins were also vacationing and so we had lots to do together. We explored the market, took boat rides, horseback trails, tried the new restaurants and gawked at the latest electronic gadgets at two shops run by East Indians.

In the middle of this vacation, my mom asked us to do something different for a change. On my younger brother's birthday, December the 30th, we were to spend an hour reflecting on the Bible reading of that day together. There was some sharing and occassional crying. This went on for three years every 30th of December. We began to notice though that the readings were the same, and so we were regugitating our own stories. (Sounds like a joke about monks I know.)

Then on the fourth year, it was over. Not because we said it was uncool or we got busy. That was the year, 1984, that the family would never be complete again. One by one, three of the eldest kids (me included) and my two brothers' spouses left the old country to go to North America and Europe. We went to look for better jobs.

That Christmas was sad for all of us. Those who got left behind made us audio tapes of Christmas carols and messages. Our usually emotionless father was very serious in his message, and had to stop the tape twice to compose himself. I hadn't seen this side of him.

Now, when you think about it, that is the problem of a huge family. When we go off on our own, chances are we could not be complete again on an occasion. It wasn't all that bad. We got as close as just one person missing. And so it has been now for 24 years. We get to visit each other. And we cherish every opportunity to be with siblings and our parents.

My wish is for one real complete reunion. It may never come true, but we can dream about it.