A FAMILY’S REUNION

Changing Our Narrative

By Dave Devereaux

Having just attended my family reunion on my mother’s side this past weekend, I came away with a renewed sense of self and personal history. Despite it being incredibly hot in East Texas, we still managed to get together and enjoyed renewing connections, sharing old stories and laughing a lot. 

My brothers and I, with the support of our cousins, had the opportunity to give back to the entire family community by catering and serving 125 attendees. My late parents would have been incredibly proud to know that we care enough to continue the traditions that so many love to participate in every two years for as far back as I can remember. 

Being the grandson of a preacher who ministered in that same community for nearly 30 years and renovated the church that still stands, gives you a lot of history and a sense of gratitude for all the best experiences as a child. The church is and will always be the center of social networking in a small community such as Chandler. 

The greatest gift of this reunion was how the young people in our very large family seemed to enjoy hanging out with generational relatives and talking about experiences and memories that were shared. They laughed at much of what they heard, as it must have sounded quite foreign to them, our recounting old summer escapades and visits to the rural East Texas area to spend time with our grandparents yearly. 

The smells and sounds take over as the stories are told and you become transported back in time to experience those moments in your head. Some of the greatest events of our young lives happened back then. And of course, the fact that it gave our parents a break from the routines of school, activities, cooking dinner on schedule and household squabbles was probably more important to them than us. 

The Chandler community is an example of what healthy small-town living will give you back later in life. The generations remaining there want to live in a close-knit community that affords them the privilege of knowing everyone. It’s quiet, clean and wholesome. One has the sense of belonging to something real.

People speak of leaving a legacy and this is the truest example of that in a community like Chandler. Every two years the results of those roots and upbringings return to renew old relationships that have been kept apart by distance or other reasons. The introduction of new members of this legacy is made either by marriage or birth and the cycle continues. 

We recognize those who have passed on and honor them in thought, prayer and remembrance. We never lose sight that we are family and in the grand scheme of life, that is all that matters. The blessing comes with knowing the family you are born or adopted into. You understand and appreciate all the differences that make it unique. 

If asked for a do-over in life, would I want to have the same family? I would not change one thing about the family I was fortunate enough to be born into. Knowing that it could have been very different, I thank God daily for my parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins for always being a part of my life. No estrangement, no judgment, just love. When your cousins are more like siblings, how close is that? It doesn’t get much better. 

While many family and community reunions can be stressful and let’s face it, sometimes worth skipping, this one is different. We are a loving lot who have been known to pull strangers and visitors in and make them feel like they belong to the community too. After all, isn’t that what FAMILY is all about? 

The Chandler Community Reunion will convene again in 2024. We will have new stories to catch up on and retellings of those that the young people want to hear. I look forward to it already. Until the next reunion, I pray that my people remain in God’s grace and mercy and continue to flourish as one.

Special Appreciation: Donna Barrett Roy, Photography