Creating Memories

Boating and swimming at Norris Dam.

It’s Father’s Day. My dad has long since moved from this life to the next but he’s so real in our lives and in our way of living—from faith to family.

This past week, we spent three days and four nights with family. Siblings. Cousins. Mom. Aunt and Uncle.

It started when my maternal grandmother turned 100. Her two daughters and their children gathered with their children in eastern Tennessee to celebrate.

We rented cabins at Norris Dam and a tradition was born.

One rainy afternoon as we all huddled on one of the cabin’s front porches, I said, “We can’t let this die. We have to do this again.”

Among the cousins’s kids there were 16 kids under twenty. Fourteen under fourteen. And they were having a blast.

We all agreed. We had to gather again. Since there is no formal “family home” any more, Norris Dam State Park acted as a perfect substitute.

Every family has their own cabin. Those of us without kids, bunked in together.

A tradition was born. My dad would’ve been proud.

Grandma died in January at 102 and 7 months. I’m not sure she was totally aware of the spark her 100th started, but I know she’d be grateful.

My brother…

We set up a few guidelines from the start. Try to have the reunion the same time every year. And keep the location.

The moment we started to move it around would be the moment we’d lose people. We all try to keep an open mind and open schedule to find the best weekend.

While we want everyone there, it’s come as you can. No pressure to show up but know you’ll be missed.

So far, so good.