I looked forward to my family reunion this year, since it was to be the last one hosted by my brother and his wife. I spoke with my sisters and brothers about their plans for food and fun. My task was to bring playing cards and a guitar.
Most of all, I could hardly wait for all of us to play musical instruments and sing. Music is very special in our family. It is the main thing we do at reunions.
Finally, the day before the reunion arrived. After preparing for bed, I checked my telephone one more time. There, on our family page, was a message from one niece saying, 'Please tell Uncle Rick not to wear political clothing because I want a good family photo.' It was well known in our family that these two are opposing each other in the upcoming election. But, this was still surprising.
Also surprising, was a reply from another niece saying, 'I would never presume to tell my elders what to wear.' I thanked her for honoring us 'elders'. I wore a red, white and blue shirt with nothing political on it. I knew my brother would definitely wear something political. As he said, 'No one tells me what to wear. I fought for America in the Marines and have the right to my opinion and my clothing.'
For a while, everything went well at the reunion. We had a wonderful time catching up with family, playing games, looking at photographs, and singing. Then, when it was time for lunch, my brother stood up and since he was the host, he thought he had the right to voice his political view right then and there. Three of my relatives jumped up from their seats and yelled out, 'Sit down. This is a family reunion, not a political rally.'
Things calmed down during lunch, but this was just the beginning of a terrible back-andforth commentary from both political parties represented in my family. It will not be resolved until the election in November.
I had never experienced a division so profound in my family. It gives me an insight into historical events where there were and are family divisions. I do hope the next time we meet for a family reunion, there will not be such distressing events. After all, politicians come and go but family is forever.