Hershberger holiday 2025

Every year we find a space for a short family reunion with our six children, spouses, 18 grandchildren and as many of the great-grands who are spread across five states. Doing so ensures everyone an opportunity to catch-up. This year Hubby found a beautiful mansion out in the country. It had three stories, plus a finished basement with an entertainment center. There the men kicked back in luxurious lounge chairs to watch football or the kids watched cartoons. On the top floor, the 8 to 19 year-old grandkids and great-grandsons had a huge dormitory with beds. On the main floor we could not hear them romping, laughing and telling stories into the night. I assume their parents in their bedrooms on the second floor monitored activities while we slept. The house provided space for noisy games or quiet retreats during our togetherness. I knew we had found the right place during a meal when 10 adults visited around the dining room table. Suddenly from maybe 40 feet away the kids’ table exploded with loud laughter and voices. They gleefully teased and challenged each other in a friendly fashion. Grandparents and parents, stopped, smiled, looked and wondered, “What is going on over there?” “I would go over and record them on the phone, but they will stop as soon as they see me,” my daughter said. I’m sure it would have been interesting to know. More importantly we realized our goal of having the cousins enjoy time together. Their time together is so rare that the oldest cousin turned down more time with his very special girl so he could focus on his cousins. As an only boy, he enjoys having younger “brothers” for a few hours. This time, he had the bonus of eight year old twin brothers. Only a few years ago, they came as babies and clung to their parents and each other, watching from the side, unable to join the fun. This year they buddied up with the older boys during a nerf gun battle that included the girls. “He’s my body guard,” one declared. The gang hunted each other up and down the four floors and laughed when the foam balls hit the target. It took a bit for the kids to settle down from their initial exploration of the house and playing hide-go-seek. However, Eli, like his father, makes up games on the fly. In a previous visit, I listened as he created a game of Hall Ball with Henry. Neither had ever played but Eli convincingly explained the rules as they worked the ball up and down the hall. His excitement and energy engaged the younger boy to kick the ball enthusiastically. I lost track of some of the activities because my granddaughter asked me to help her make a simple quilt for her twin’s class. She brought 10 inch squares on which each child had drawn their face. I brought fabric and equipment to cut and sew. Even with experience, a simple small quilt takes hours to assemble. Some of the girls and moms joined me at the table where I sewed. At times the kids split into smaller groups to play. Other times they ganged up. The readers and crafters found quiet corners. Although everyone brought games and puzzles, we only played a few. Sometimes kids and men helped work on meals. They did so because years ago I established one rule: we provide a place to stay, the families bring food, fix the meals and help with kitchen duty. That guarantees no complaints about the food because the moms know their kids’ preferences. It also means I have time to enjoy the family. All things considered, I proclaimed this year’s reunion a success. We will do it again.