Another year we gather as a family

Remembering branches of our ancestral tree

Timeless stories, recipes, pictures keep our memories and of those departed alive

When we are taken back in time, we smile, laugh out loud, times when the thought of missed love ones, bring tears to our eyes

Our hearts are full with the greates gift, love.  God granted each of us His grace and mercy from above

In 1882 Bettie Wilson and William Reid began an Institution of Family, 126 years ago

These are some of the facts that we will discuss today, some we will discover, others we already know

Their marriage vows connected them as One and to Christ, not knowing what the future would hold, let's look at something...

"I Am the vine, ye are the branches: he tht abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me, you can do nothing."

Their union has made it known why

And explains the reasons when we compare the different textures of our hair, our skin color, even the color of our eyes

In all of us here today are Allen, George, Horace and Bettie, no matter who we've married or what our last names now may be

From them came Pinkney.  He married Matilda.

They created Allen, George, Horace and Bettie

We celebrate them today as well and it is them we see in each other

"You look like me!"  "I look like my Aunt's brother."

This poem is not just for me.  It's for all generations who will follow me.  I hope it jogs pleasant memories

I, too, mirror each of them in some way, so let's celebrate on this Family Reunion Day!

From wearing church hats and loving the Lord, like my Great Aunt Bettie who is asleep this year in Christ

Wearing sunglasses liek Granddaddy George!  Remember the story about his eyes?  A story of how he held me as a baby and how I was one of his most precious prizes

Having a smooth, laid-back disposition, lots of laughter, and sense of family like Great Uncle Horace, recaling when his hair wasn't so grey, watched the family mature and grow until the end of his days

Great Uncle Allen's memory we will always keep alive, how he loved life, served his country and now sleeps.  He, too, awaits the call of Christ

May we continue to remember who we all came from

Each year, may we be continually blessed by the testimony of this poem

That it will be a timeless peace for the Reid family to share

Year, after year, after year, after year

Copyright 4 July 2008