Eaves Family Reunion or the Ties That Bind

The First Ever Eaves Cousins Reunion - August 13, 2005
Or, The Ties That Bind

Well we did it! After at least 40 years with various degrees of separation from family, raising our own families and following our individual interests, we came together for a weekend to share our common heritage. I wondered for a while whether this would be awkward, but I can assure you that it wasn’t. Pauses in conversation were few and most were filled with looks of joy, concern and amusement over old family stories.

I have to pause here and say that none of this would have been possible without Bob and Sharon opening their home and their hearts to this small seed of an idea last Spring. They were generous to a fault, and I don’t know how Sharon managed to put together such a wonderful meal, keep tabs on Bob and put up with so many relatives that she had never even met before. Their home is filled with obvious love and faith, making it a joy to be there and share it with them. It was also great of Bob to share with us about his animals and his life on the ranch. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

There were old family albums to be shared, and many of the pictures in one or the other cousin’s album turned out to be ones we had never seen of our own family members or the Eaves Grandparents. The albums are so old and the pages so worn that it was difficult to keep them from disintegrating as we looked for our own remembrances. Unidentified photos were scrutinized by our collective failing eyesight and we were amazed to see the generation before us come to life in these long ignored volumes.

Thus the ties that bind. Acknowledging God in our lives and thanking Him for all of our blessings. Recalling stories about one parent or another who did great favors, told great stories, and inspired the interests that we follow today. Repeating tales of fond encounters when a Grandparent, Aunt or Uncle was paying special attention to us. Hearing the latest versions of youthful shenanigans grown legendary with age. Sharing sorrow and tragedy with empathy and speaking gentle remembrances of the family members who have gone before us. Laughing at our faults, our follies and ourselves and acknowledging the imperfection of our human condition. This is a special unity of knowing the depth of family feelings that can only be found in this type of gathering. In truth, funerals and reunions have much the same purpose for families. They are for the living, they honor the past and they allow us a time of grace to enjoy family and worry less about our own cares.

We waited a long time, but now the torch of tradition should be carried forward. Joan and I will talk about where to have next year’s reunion and we’ll ask around for opinion till the decision is made. The most important thing is to have it, not where it will be. I’ve already heard interest from people who couldn’t make it this year, so positive things breed positive reaction. The consensus is that we will have the next reunion in June of 2006. I am waiting to find out the dates of Bill’s 40th Dartmouth reunion before I try to set a date, as that is an important event for him and I’m sure we will try to go. I’m thinking that the earliest date possible will be shortly after the 10th. I’m also thinking that the weekend of the 16th, 17th and 18th will probably be best. Keep this in mind and let me know if anyone has objections to those dates.

For anyone other than family that read this on my blog, my message is to stop thinking about a family reunion and plan one. This is one of the few places where such enduring memories can be made in such a short and enjoyable time. Every year that you wait, you risk the loss of a loved one or maybe even your own ability to participate. Life is way to short to keep waiting.

Here are a few pictures of our time together and some of a time many years ago:

FROST Reunions…The first picture doesn’t have a notation on the back. The second is of Ada, John, Aunt Laura, Sterling and Colonel Frost with our Great Grandmother Betty Cooper Frost. The third has the following note on the back: “This picture was made just a week to the day before mama died, thought you would like to have it.” I believe that the handwriting is Grandmother Eaves. This is only from memories of letters I received from her as a child.



August 13, 2005 – Eaves Cousins













I have more, but I think I’m pressing it with this many for email. Whoever took the group pictures, please forward me one. My camera was on the blink and I’d really like to have a copy.

Thanks and be well until next time. God bless you.

Paula