Five Questions to Ask at Your Next Reunion: Part 2 by Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.

As National Family History Month https://nationaltoday.com/family-history-month continues, it is not too late to participate. Following up from the October 1 Reunions Newsletter tip on “Five Questions to Ask at Your Next Reunion: Part 1here arefive more questions to have on hand for your next gathering.

  1. What’s the most significant change in your life since we last met? This open-ended question invites the others to share their biggest life updates, whether it’s a new job, a move, or a personal accomplishment. It’s a great way to catch up on major milestones.
  • What’s one thing you miss most about our time together? Reunions are all about nostalgia, and this question taps into shared memories. It invites people to reflect on the past and can rekindle fond memories or spark discussions about what made those times special.
  • Do you have a family recipe you can share? Most family gatherings center around a table, (think a dinner table at the holidays or a picnic table at an outdoor reunion). Ask attendees to share a favorite family recipe (by email or writing it down on a recipe card that can be scanned). If they have brought a dish to the reunion, snap a photo and have them explain why they made it. Ask permission to record the conversation. You can use the Vivid-Pix® Memory Station https://www.vivid-pix.com/memorystation to digitize handwritten recipes and photographs, record the memories they invoke, and then share the movie of the story with your relatives.
  • What’s next for you? Asking an individual what they want to do in the future helps to understand his/her/their current goals and aspirations. It shows an interest in someone’s journey beyond the casual “how have you been?” and encourages them to think about what they’re excited about in the future. Ask for progress updates throughout the year to offer encouragement, or to provide recognition when someone reaches a goal or fulfills a dream.
  • What advice can you offer the next generation? Sharing between the generations is important to continue family bonds. Ask the more senior members to share some “words of wisdom” with the younger generations. For example, a story of how they overcame life’s disappointments or handled a challenging situation or had to pivot in their job or business and what they learned along the way.

While reunions should be fun with games, activities, and laughter, setting aside some time for deeper conversations can help you reminisce about the past and spark interest in continuing the tradition in the future.   Enjoy the rest of Family History Month!