There are family reunions, and then there are FAMILY REUNIONS. When Mama comes for dinner, it is a family reunion. All I have left of my family, besides Snell and James, is Mama and one cousin. On the other hand, when Snell has a family reunion at least 175 people show up.
Doris Snell is the only one of his mother’s generation left, but Snell does have an abundance of cousins. The Snell Family has a reunion each year in August at the . We fill the room. I think we are going to have to color code everyone to determine to whom they belong.
There is enough food to feed a starving third world country, or the Snell Family. Homemade food and deserts are spread out on long rows of tables. A few announcements are made, a blessing is given by the Rev. Jim Cantrell of SUMC, and the hoards descend on the food. There is very little left at the end of the day.
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Babies are introduced to their extended families, and we stop to remember those who have passed away or are sick. Old stories are told. There are still stories about “the boys” getting in trouble. No one has accepted the blame. I am not sure they even remember who is to blame, but they all remember getting into trouble.
The boys are Earle, Ferle, Sonny, Richard, Jack, Joe, Fred, Snell and Tommy. They were first cousins and close in age. There were three girls in that same age group: Carol Jane, Melia Beth and Ruth Allyn. These kids are now the guiding generation of the family. (Notice the subtle non-use of any terms about aging.)
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I imagine there are a lot more stories out there than will ever see the light of day. Can you imagine 12 wild young’uns running through the fields, playing in the cemetery, chasing the chickens and jumping out of the barn into an aged manure pile? I understand the girls were much better behaved than the boys. The boys swear the girls were just never caught.
Sonny (Henry) Partee was frequently placed in command of the younger cousins. Sonny used to make them play school, and he was always the teacher. I think he must have found this was the only way he could ride herd on The Wild Bunch. Sonny did eventually become a teacher, a very respected and loved one. An is named after him.
There was so much laughter and so many hugs, that the whole room rang with good cheer. It was a day filled with hugs, kisses, renewing memories and lots of laughter. Isn’t that what getting together with family is all about?
