Family reunions have been standard social events ever since the first human beings walked our planet. The desire to affiliate, to come together, is a powerful need. And, as the human species moved into modernity, the shape, style and elaborateness of the reunion evolved.
If most reunions followed the kind of get togethers my clan adopted, then it was probably a one-day affair at some relative's home.
Usually that relative was the gregarious member who didn't get upset when hoards of children invaded the home and tumbled about on fine furniture.
They either had a large back yard for the picnic tables or an ample dining room with a considerable drop-leaf table and a couple of extra card tables for the kids to sit at-someplace distant from the old folks.
Of course every attendee was obligated to bring food to share. Getting caught up on everyone's family events during the intervening years since the last reunion takes up the day. The dishes get washed, kids are collected, hugs and kisses are passed around and the group disperses.
However, like all rules, there is the exception. In this case, there was a family reunion at the Christine and John Cross residence like nothing I've ever seen. It surely did not fit within the common rules for family reunions.
Actually, it was Christine's family doing the getting together-46 of them! From all over the United States. And not for just a day-it was four days of jam-packed reunion. Christine's theme this year was "branching out."
I asked Christine, "How did this get started and when?" She replied that "about 10 years ago, my uncle said we'd better start getting together now instead of at funerals, and my youngest brother hosted the first one in Las Vegas. Now this is number nine."
"How does it rotate, where have others been held and what about T-shirts-doesn't everybody have a special shirt?"
Christine laughed and said, "Well, we've met in Florida, Texas, California, Las Vegas and Seattle. You see, this is my second turn since there are seven siblings, and this is our nineth Mathis clan reunion. We rotate based upon chronological age. I'm the oldest, so I think this may be my last time being the host because all the sibs have grown children and they wish to carry on the tradition and give us older ones a respite.
"Oh, T-shirts... sure I had them printed and ready to distribute as the 46 people started to arrive. I designed a tree for the shirts depicting tree branches of life. In fact, after we completed the first seven reunions, we made a family quilt with samples of the shirts from past reunions, and the host of the forthcoming year gets to keep the quilt at home.
"It's been known to calm and even cure a child's mild illness when they cuddle in the warmth of the love emanating from that special quilt made with love never to be lost or forgotten," she concluded with a broad, loving, grandmotherly smile.
Christine's family name is Mathis, and she hails from Lubbock, Texas. Currently she resides in Magnolia near Discovery Park. It was Christine's turn this year. She doesn't mess around when it comes to organizing such a massive undertaking.
She enlisted Susan Jarvis from Magnolia Travel, who promptly searched for the right hotel accommodations to shelter the Mathis clan for the duration.
Opening day of the reunion started at the Holiday Inn hospitality suite for a welcome buffet. That evening Christine arranged for a special dinner and "get reacquainted party."
The second day began with a continental breakfast, followed by a ride on Ride the Duck of Seattle. Coast Guard-certified maritime captains took the crowd on a musical tour of Seattle-half on land and half of the time on sea. Boxed lunches were served on board.
Afterward they socialized back at the inn. A family dinner at Romio's Restaurant that night was followed with an adults-only casino night. The children were treated at The Gameworks video parlor downtown, while their parents won and/or lost a few bucks at the club.
On the third day, the folks had a choice of tours after their morning breakfast: either the Underground Seattle Walking Tour or the Experience Music Project at the Seattle Center.
Christine and her husband hosted a barbecue banquet at their Magnolia home afterward, which was followed by announcements and family business. This was when the host for next year's reunion made a presentation.
Later that evening, all participated in a dessert buffet and played assorted games. However, her "Christmas In June Party" was the absolute neatest surprise for everyone. It's a family tradition for each year's host to develop and spring a surprise for the attendees. Her Christmas party had all jaws agape. It was fantastic.The wonderful 2006 Mathis reunion culminated on Sunday with a farewell brunch at Ivar's Salmon House.
See you all next year! God Bless.
Bernie Sadowski is a freelance writer and longtime resident of Magnolia. He can be reached at mageditor@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
