This past weekend we had a mini family reunion. It is summer in Minnesota, and a busy time for everyone trying to pack in the maximum activity time while the weather is warm, so getting people together can be challenging. But several of my cousins, their children and their grandchildren managed to get together at our family farm (been in the family for almost 150 years now) and spend a little time reminniscing and catching up.
In the midst of the celebration, something occurred to me. The house looked nice, but not perfect. The rain caused some issues. The house isn't really big enough, so some people ended up eating on the wrap around porch while others were gathered around the buffet inside. (That made getting seconds easier, of course!) The grass was wet, but the kids didn't care, and the barn, although messy, was still a real working barn with cats and cows and calves and a pig or two and the rope swing in the haymow still works!
We don't need perfection to have a good time. If we wait for the perfect moment, it will never come. If we try to get everyone, we will have no one. In this day of disconnection, we have to connect when we can, even if its not possible to have everyone every time. If the house is messy, does it really matter? Does anyone remember that my mom has stuff piled up in her bedroom because she hasn't got enough space to put everything away after 99 years of living, most of them in that very house?
What I remember is laughing together as memories were shared. Eating a great meal prepared by everyone. Enjoying the time together with people I love and don't see nearly often enough. Honoring grandparents I never knew who started the ball rolling by having our parents. Seeing yet another generation introduced to the farm where our roots run deep and wide.
Don't wait for the right moment. That moment is now. Nike had it right. Just do it. And take lots of photos to share around. You won't regret it.
