The official poem of the Family Reunion Institute at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also serves to describe reunion. It is written by Jo-Ann Kelly who regularly attends reunions on her mother’s Jackson/Anderson side and her father’s Brown/Kelly side.
Family Reunion
First, they’ll recognize the ancestors and pour libations one by one
Because, they’ll recognize the importance of their Family Reunion…
A call in the middle of the night, a wedding, a funeral, sometimes a fight
A baby born, a loan’s come due, a graduation, anniversary and a card that says, “I love you.”
A Sunday morning breakfast, a cookout in July, the time that Uncle Robert tried to do the Electric Slide
The family comes from out of town to join the family here, they share some jokes, some memories, they share some smiles and tears
Prayer and faith intermingle, with a sermon and gospel songs:
Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior, Precious Lord and Pressing On…
No, not everything is perfect, not everything is right, not everybody’s coming because they have been downsized …
But of all those who make it, and all of those who come, will be a part of all of those who recognize they’re one
And who recognize the importance of a Family Reunion.
