A Purposeful Weekend

Back-to-back weekends spent at family reunions have been rewarding and inspiring; two weekends ago at Coney Island in Cincinnati and this past weekend at Georgia’s Stone Mountain.  As I think on these events, it makes me appreciate family even more and realize that family, good times, and love are synonymous.  This weekend at Stone Mountain, good times meant spending Friday night catching up with or getting to know family; enjoying a picnic together at one of the park’s numerous pavilions; enjoying a well-planned Saturday evening banquet and delicious meal together at one of the hotel’s beautiful ballrooms; laughing together; dancing together; watching our little ones play together – especially our family’s triplet girls who were charming, cute, adorable, and excited about the activities and being a part of a loving and supportive family.  When it is time to go, it is not unusual to reflect on the reunion and certainly not unusual to look forward to staying connected. While we go back to our busy and sometimes separate lives, having that deep bond has an everlasting effect that is meaningful and truly encourages a spiritual link.

Please check out my August 5 post about fun times at Coney Island, entitled, “Family Fun.”  Stone Mountain was also a great place to spend time with loved ones and an excellent choice by our reunion planners.  The excitement and attractions it offer is quite numerous and I suggest you research its many offerings such as the very accommodating Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort that served as our family’s host hotel or the numerous restaurants on the property.  Also noteworthy are the campgrounds, hiking and nature trails, Lasershow, exhibits, golf course, concerts, water slides, paddle boats, fishing, sky ride cable car, and scenic railroad – just to name a few.  Stone Mountain – Georgia’s number one tourist attraction – will definitely keep you entertained.  Major festivals take place there and visitors also enjoy the sandy lakefront beach.

Historically, “Stone Mountain itself was formed about 300 million years ago, when intense heat and pressure caused molten material just below the earth’s surface to push upward. That material cooled slowly (it took 100 million years) and formed compact, uniform crystals.  The dome-shaped rock rises 1,683 feet above sea level and covers 583 acres.”

All-in-all, my husband and I will be remembering the times we enjoyed with family these past two weekends.  It truly was a family affair!

Family Fun

With a past history of challenges to its operation, Coney Island in Cincinnati refused to give up.  It had to survive things such as major floods, its businessman owner, Ronald Walker, passed away unexpectedly, its rebuilding process was slow, potential investors were hesitant due to the flood zone location of the park, etc. However, not only did the park survive, it is now thriving.  I have first hand knowledge after recently attending my family’s 48th reunion at the location with my husband and son.  With over one hundred family members in attendance, we had good, wholesome, family fun – thanks to a beloved amusement park that helps create memories.  Having the Ohio River as one of the backdrops was simply beautiful.  If you like relaxing in style, amusement rides, games, picnic food – just good ole fashion fun, check out Coney Island Park.  Being there was something our family could experience together and enjoy a day of excitement and entertainment.

The Power of the Family

Sitting here reminiscing about two very special family reunions that my family and I attended.  We are still deliriously happy and joyous from our “love fest” with those we care so much about.  One was held during a weekend in June and another during a weekend in August.  As I remember the love and the bonding, it becomes abundantly clear that not much can match those moments in time we shared with family.  Whether it has been multiple years or just a few since you connected with family members, it is still all too precious when you meet for some face time – chatting, hugging, smiling, giggling, hugging some more, and all the other fun things family do when they get together.  If you have never experienced a family reunion, now is the time to initiate one.  If you do, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.  I oftentimes am told from friends how they attempted to coordinate a reunion but either fell short or failed to keep it going.  My advice:  try and try again.  It is well worth it.  The planning and all that goes into hosting a reunion is so worth the effort.  It is done with love and care.  One was a small gathering with slightly over 20 and another totaling over 180.  Nonetheless, small or large, they were ultra special and so very precious.  We left the reunions with one thing on our minds – marking our calendars for next year; putting everything aside for those particular weekends because none of us can think of anything else we’d rather be doing than “hanging out” with our family.  It’s all about love.  Try it on for size; it will fit every time!