When last you host your family.... True Life Event

Narrated by Veronica Abiodun
Real Life Event

• Junior dancing at our family gathering last Christmas eve

Gazing the blue sky  through  the window with a drink in my hand , I went down memory lane  and remembered how  to be a part of something great as a child growing up- and that is Family gatherings. 

For many years my cousin Johnnybell  invited  people to come  eat, drink, and celebrate the Holidays at her house and for years people attended and were happy to do so.  The dinner  table  had  a variety of Soul food that was prepared by her and music playing  from  the background while eating . Then we would  all laughed and joked with one another.

After dinner with music still playing we would call out who would be card  partners, to get a good card game started, whether Bid Wiz or Spades it was on... Johnneybell would  be the first to call on me to be her partner, for she knew we were unbeatable together as I could recall  but nevertheless, we were good partners.


Recently my Cousin Johnnybell  passed on. Now it seems  that when the Holidays roll around , no one wants to come together anymore, everyone appears to be  on their own  and doing their own thing . Whether  staying at home alone or shopping on the Holidays. I now ask 'Where is the love for family values and respect I was raised on?'

But one good thing in speaking about  morals and values Johnnybell raised three beautiful children of her own, two daughters and a son who happen to have these values instilled in them. One of her daughters,  Janice has  been  carrying  on  her mother's tradition  by  inviting family and friends over for a Christmas' Eve Party every year and  I have  been trying to bring our family together by hosting small park events .  Janice's sister Bobbette has recently passed on but her brother Junior is a man of many talents while still trying to make it to any family affair.


So what I'm saying people , all of us must travel down that road one day losing a loved one, but until then , let's remember the ones that's still here above the ground level  by showing them  much love  and respect  and  by having a forgiven heart because we are all are not perfect. 

May we come together to live, love , and be happy, learn to appreciate life and be thankful for another day above the ground to tell someone that you love  him,  hold him  and kiss him. It might just be the last time....

Family