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Who doesn't love family reunions?

A tradition in my extended family since just the time I was born, the annual family reunion always takes place during the first few weekends of August. Cousins from California drive through the night to make it to Oregon in time for the event. My Aunt's college roommate from many years ago, comes down from Washington with her children and sometimes, her grandchildren. It's a yearly event that no one wants to miss.

The first meal of the reunion is always the same; Taco Salad. Simple and only slightly messy, it always tastes the same. All of the aunts shop at Costco, so every year someone brings the same brand of salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips. The aunts and uncles sit around the table chatting while the cousins mingle, catching up on college and family gossip.

What makes the weekend so special is that everyone makes it a priority. The only valid reason for missing the reunion is being out of the country. It always seems like there's one cousin who is off on an international adventure (or having just gotten back from one). But for the most part, everyone comes.

Once the reunion starts, cares seem to melt away. Cell phones are turned off, TVs are only used when people are extremely bored and people just take time to bond with one another. One of the uncle's always whips out his book of Oregon hikes and plans an early morning venture for willing participants. I always choose to sleep in but I'm told that they are fun. Since the reunions usually take place near a river or lake, there's always at least one afternoon spent on the water. Some of my happiest memories are of floating down a cool river in an inner tube on a lazy hot summer afternoon.

One of the reasons my extended family is so close is that everyone is willing to invest in each other. Because all of the cousins have grown up with each other, the yearly reunion is likely to go on after our parents have passed away. A family like mine is a rarity and I'm truly blessed to be part of it. I just hope we can pass on the gift of family to our friends and children.

Learn more about this author, Caitlin Muir.
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