FAMILY REUNIONS

by
Billy Whitehead

I have always loved family reunions. At a family reunion I know will see some cousins, uncles and aunts I haven’t seen in at least one year and sometimes it may have been three or more years. Then there may be someone I have only heard of but never met.

The first reunion I remember is when we lived near Sturgis where lived for a short time while dad worked with Grandpa Kent at his sawmill. This must have been sometime around 1959 or 1960.

About four or five months before the reunion time, letters were mailed out as to whe and where the reunion was to be held. Some would come from Texas and Mobile Alabama as well as from Tuscaloosa Alabama so notice had to be made for those to prepare for travel.
As the time grew closer dad made large tables with boards brought from the sawmill. The grass was cut short and the house got an extra cleaning.

Dad had a goat that he started feeding in the late fall. I think there was a pig also however I remember the goat best. Both of these would be baked on an open fire the night before.

It seems that the reunion was in March and maybe the last Saturday in March. A day or so before time he killed and dressed the goat and pig. Late Friday evening he started cooking on an open fire.

Usually some of the folk from Mobile would come in on Thursday or Friday afternoon. They were ready to start preparations early Saturday morning. Some others came early to help with preparations. It was a little cool in the early morning so a couple fires was started. Wood was piled to keep it going. Large cloths were put on the tables that were built between two trees. There were two or three tables close together, one for food, one for drinks and deserts and a low one for eating.

A large wash pot was cleaned and set up in order to fry up a batch of fish someone had brought. Several gallons odf peanut oul was made ready. Heating the oil would be a matter of dropping a match head into the oil. If it lit the oil was hot enough to fry fish. THis would take place about 11:00.

As more people arrived so it was time to start talking. Food was placed on tables covered with towels to keep leaves or the eyes of others. Large jugs of tea were placed about and ice was brought from the ice house in Sturgis. At this time the ice was 25 or 50 pounds blocks. A large water barrel was brought in and a block of ice dropped into it. Close by was a water dipper for use to get a drink of water. It was placed in a tub with an ice pick nearby.

By ten o’clock there were a number of cars and trucks with about 50 people sitting around. Kids ran through the yard with cousins who they had not seen in a year or more. Necks were hugged, hands shaken. All remembered the last time they were together then it was time to catch up. Some caught up for the last reunion others from the last they talked.

We must remember that it was not uncommon for most not to have a telephone at home. Letters were more common for communicating with family members. Babies were brought out and lay on a quilt on the ground. Pictures were taken and family introduced. “Have you met my sister?” “This is my mama and daddy.” Or you might hear, “Now who is that with him?” “Is that his new wife?” “Now hush, don’t talk so loud!” But none think of the laughing attracting attention.

If there was a new bride dad would wait until many were standing close then he would slip up behind the unsuspecting lady and grab her and kiss her right in front of all to see. He had already tried this on Aunt Nell but she had been forewarned. When he grabbed her to kiss, she simply planted one right on his lips turning the table on him.

About 12:00 the food has been warmed and placed on the table. Coverings were removed and the call to come close was yelled out. Someone was asked to bless the food. Lines were formed to go by the food table to fill the plate. The older folk sat around tables which were placed around under the trees. Some found a place to sit on the ground while others sat on the tailgate of a pickup truck. Dinner may last for an hour or two because eating wasn’t necessarily why we were there. Of course there was food in abundance. Of course there was dad’s barbecued goat but someone had a ham brought from the smoke-house. Some corn prepared in a special way then there were peas canned from last year or maybe early peas just picked. Pickles were always there. Many times fresh killed rabbit was there or maybe squirrel dumplings. I never remember sliced bread but there would be cornbread or rolls. Then there were deserts and cakes of all kind, pies of any imagination.

Then hidden away from little eyes. . . . well you know what it was. Down the hill from the house was a spring. There was a pump in the spring to pump water to the house however it was cool water so somehow cans of beer happened to be left there. Of course this was kept from mom but I think she knew it was there.

After dinner was somewhat over some would start leaving. Generally these were from Tuscaloosa or Louisville. About three o’clock others would leave but usually there were those who would spend the night with plans to leave on Sunday. As kids we looked forward to this time to play. We would head out to the barn loft where we would pile hay bails to make houses or tunnels. Or we would simply sit up there and talk about nothing. The girls would go to the bedroom to sit in the bed and talk. Late

The Kents lived about a mile from our house so those who would spend the night went to either house for the night. Saturday evening at the Kent house, a card table was set up for a round of rummy. They would play rummy until late. There was arguing over who made the points or how they did not make that point. About 9:00 or so the game was declared a winner and all would leave for the night.

Sometime before nightfall grandma would call us boys to bring in stove-wood. For those who do not know what stove-wood is, I will explain the term. Stove wood should not be confused with fire-wood. Firewood is cut for the fireplace while stove-wood is cut for the cook stove. It is generally cut in shorter length of about 12–18 inches and small enough to grip with the hand. We would place it into a wood-box which was close beside the stove. A few pine kindling pieces were placed on top. In the morning whoever was to cook breakfast would start the fire by lighting the kindling then placing some bits of wood on it. When it was burning larger pieces of firewood was placed in the firebox. A container for water is built on the outside of the firebox. The warm water was for washing the dishes afterward. When the stove is hot enough large skillets of bacon (or fatback), ham and sausage are fried up. Then eggs are cooked up and a skillet of gravy was made. A large put of Lousanne coffee is steaming on the back of the stove. At least two large skillets of biscuits are baking.
When breakfast is ready grandmother Kent loved to yell, “Come and get it!”
The table was home-made table of pine from grand-dad’s sawmill. It was about four feet wide and about ten feet long. The first one had benches on the side. Later straight back chairs were there. Grandpa sat at one end and grandma sat at the other end. The table was filled with breakfast food along with several jars of syrup and preserves. We were free to eat all we wanted but never waste what we got. Coffee was there as was milk fresh from the cow. As we ate, we talked too. Mostly the topic was who we saw and what they were doing. We knew grandpa Kent was through with breakfast when he poured a bit of sugar and poured some milk or water into it. He would mix it a bit then sop it with his last piece of bisquit.

As breakfast was over those who had to drive home began packing. Goodbyes were said and plans for the next visit were promised. We woulkd take out opertunity to say our goodbyes looking forward to the next time we could be together. For some it would be Thanksgiving or Christmas. For others there may be a visit during the summer school hollidays.

The family reunion was then over. Some who attended were not seen again because of the inevitability of life. Others would make visits ever so often. Family ties are made more secure. Remembrances’ are pleasant to think of. A great time is had by all.

We are tired but it is a pleasing tiredness.