The Family Reunion

Does anyone have a family reunion these days?

My wife’s family has them regularly for two sides of her mother’s family. My family had them sporadically for a while when my grandparents were alive. Our families tried to get together to a lesser degree at the holidays – but not so much anymore.

Has Social Media Killed Our Reunions?

Personally, I do not believe this to be the case. Social media has allowed us to keep in touch with our friends, family, and extended family. All we need is to look them up and follow them if they have a social media presence. My boys both have a social media presence… yet I hardly ever see anything of theirs on social media. I don’t know if I’m even following them on their currently preferred platform. Things change often. It is difficult for those of us who work for a living and are possibly “less hip” to stay abreast of the current trends when it comes to keeping up with our children – or even grandchildren.

Too Busy or Indifferent

Is it possible that we have become too callous or maybe we have become indifferent to what’s going on around us? It is my belief that our lives have become too complex and we are apparently too busy with the demands placed on our time these days. We have not put our extended family on the high priority list, thus these ideals fall through the cracks. I am just as guilty as everyone else. I forget to call or even email my children at times – even though I think about them several times each day. My wife – I forget to text her just to say I love you or check in to see how her day is going when I am busy.

Perhaps we should all take more time to slow down and take a deep breath. Stop, smell the roses, and enjoy life a bit more. I love all of my family – including my in-laws and my extended family whom I rarely see. I wish that there was more time to see and visit with each one of them, but they too are busy and our lives seldom allow us the opportunity to connect.

Thankfully, we at least have social media to help bridge that gap, if only on an impersonal and superficial way. #Family #Safety #StayInTouch It’s important to stay connected. Connect to me @JohnMDabbs – or is that #JohnMDabbs I’m never certain.

#connectedToFamily

From My Wife-

Social media has not only kept people in touch but has made t possible to find new family members and made new reunions and relationships possible.