2021 Summer Family Gatherings
If the summer of 2020 was the summer of cancelled reunions, memorials, and weddings, then the summer of 2021 has been the summer of resuming important family gatherings. As of this writing, vaccinated gatherings have felt relatively safe and so very imperative, but the rise of the Delta variant of COVID is beginning to cast a shadow on late August and autumn events.
After our mother died in October 2020, and we were able to have only the smallest internment service for her, my sisters and I began dreaming of a large family reunion to celebrate our mom and mark the passing of her generation as we four stepped into the role of elders. In this blog I record the absolute joy and privilege of a Brown Family Reunion/Memorial for our Mother that occurred in mid-June.
Our sweet mother, photo by Ann Linnea
My three sisters and I started planning in December 2020 before there were vaccinations. Two things seemed clear—it needed to be in Colorado where our family had vacationed for decades, and we wanted lots of outdoor activities because that’s what our family always did on those Colorado vacations.
The Brown Sisters: Kathy, Margaret, Ann, and Susie, photo by Joe Villarreal
We settled on Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA Camp of the Rockies, and reserved lodge rooms for mid-June. It was a huge leap of faith. Spring came. Vaccines arrived. We got the shots. People began to register. Nearly every living descendant came—53 people, ages 1-76—from Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington. We are a diverse lot—age, sex, race, religion, and political affiliation. We are united by our love for our dearly departed matriarch, our shared joy in nature/outdoor adventure, and loyalty to the values this family has practiced since Mom and Dad married in 1948. Time together helped us be our best selves.
How do you weave a diverse, far flung family together to pull off an event with such unity? You plan. You trust. You jump in and have fun together. For our family I think the shared outdoor adventures were key because that is the culture that our parents had set in place for over 50 years. And most certainly you need a measure of good luck.
A collage of activity photos is included below. We supported each other to participate in activities ranging from horseback riding to high ropes adventure to zip lines to bicycle riding to hiking to making crafts to swimming to tubing to eating s’mores around bonfires.
The narrative I focus on here is the high adventure ropes course because it was an important event for my small part of the big family. My daughter wanted this listed on our choices of activities because we had done this type of thing when she was a child. “I have a fear of heights and I want to challenge myself,” she said.
On a beautiful early June evening several dozen of us walked or drove down to the ropes course. Located in a circle of pines in the forested mountain bowl of Snow Mountain Ranch, an event called the Giant’s ladder and the Leap of Faith pole were rigged by a group of young staff. We gathered for instruction.
High ropes courses are all about individual challenge with team support. Participants are carefully fitted into a parachute type harness and hooked to safety lines called ‘belays’ held by staff and team members.
Our 16-year-old grandson, Jaden, was one of the first to climb the 40-foot utility pole and jump off wearing his harness. After watching several other family members, including some that did not make it to the top but turned around halfway up, our ten-year-old granddaughter, Sasha, said she wanted to try. She harnessed up and reached for the first foot peg and slowly made her way up to the tiny wooden platform at the top to the cheers of dozens—most loudly her big brother. With hesitancy on that little swaying platform, she trusted her harness and herself to leap off. As her father said, “I felt like she left a lot of the anxiety from a year of Covid homeschool and little socialization up there on that tiny wooden ledge. It was very emotional for me to watch.”
Sasha determined to climb that pole, photo by her father Joe Villarreal
Sasha at the top preparing to maneuver onto the jump platform, photo by her father Joe Villarreal
Sasha ready to leap, photo by her great Aunt Margaret
“OK, now I have to try,” said my daughter. There is nothing natural about climbing to the top of a high, slightly swaying pole and then jumping off. It wasn’t easy for Sally, but slowly she climbed, carefully managing her hands and feet. The support crew of aunts, uncles, cousins, and, of course, her family encouraged her to leap and trust that we who belayed her would slowly lower her to the ground. Once on the ground she was in the middle of a hug from Sasha, Jaden, Joe, Nina, and I.
You did such a good job, Sweetie! Now I have to try, photo by Joe Villarreal
Sally leaping off the platform, photo by her Aunt Margaret
After several more people and children climbed, Jaden wanted to try again. This time he had the goal of jumping off and catching the trapeze bar swinging seemingly just out of reach—something our young guide said less than 10% of participants accomplish. The friendly crowd grew silent when Jaden perched on that little platform. It was like being a spectator at an Olympic event—we could feel the young athlete’s focus and concentration and did not want to interrupt it. With every ounce of strength in his young body he flew and caught the bar! Cheers, laughter, high fives . . . it was a raucous moment out there in the pines. Afterwards I reflected to Jaden, “If you focus yourself, you can do anything you want to. That was impressive!”
Jaden leaping from the platform, photo by his father Joe Villarreal
Jaden reaching for that trapeze, photo by his great Aunt Margaret
He got it! Photo by his father, Joe Villarreal
Me watching Jaden fly onto the trapeze, photo by Joe Villarreal
I was up next. Someone in the grandmother generation needed to do this! I made no attempt to leap for the bar—sure did not want to throw a shoulder out. But I found it fun to trust that harness and leap. And for sure the cheers from everyone were helpful. Once down and getting out of the harness, I admit to a certain pride in being called a “bad ass grandma” by one of my nephews.
My leap documented by my sister, Margaret
This was one of many events in our five-day gathering. All of them were focused on choice, empowerment, and team building. And all of them built a strength of togetherness that culminated in the final evening memorial service for mom.
The memorial happened the last evening in the chapel after four days of eating, talking, and adventuring together. The field of connection was strongly woven at that point. The service had participation from all three generations remaining in the Brown family. Our historian sister, Margaret, and her son, Frank, put together an amazing video of mom’s life with live footage of her talking. Each of us other three sisters spoke. Mom’s musical talent rested in her grandchildren, and they played the piano and sang with beauty—Molly, Anna, and Frank. Thanks also to Erica and Jaden for their heartfelt words. And thank you to our three cousins who came to represent the fact that their Aunt Astrid was the last of the Svedlund women. Not a dry eye in the room. A homespun service of great heart and meaning.
Photos of our time together
Horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies, photo by Ann Linnea
Hiking to the falls: Christina, sister Kathy, niece Erica and daughter Kinsley, sister Susie and Ann, photo by John Harrington
Making s’mores, bonfire created and tended by Joe Villarreal, photo by Ann Linnea
Our oldest Zipline daredevil, Christina, photo by Joe Villarreal
Flying through air with the greatest of ease, Christina, photo by Joe Villarreal
Eating in the dining hall—Kathy’s family, photo by Ann Linnea
The great grandchildren making their own evening plans: Riley, Mishayla and Jaden , photo by Ann Linnea
A surprise graduation party for Mom and Dad’s youngest grandson, Frank Jonas, photo by Ann Linnea
The whole family after an afternoon of summer tubing, photo by Kyle Unfug
What a joyful memorial – and how blessed you all are to have family.
aloha,
diane ahuna
Blessed indeed.
Oh my, what a fun and meaningful time. I’m so glad you got to do it! Thank you for sharing it, you bad ass grandmothers!
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Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I felt and lived each moment, each memory.
Thank you for responding!
Thank you for sharing such powerful images and story of a sacred time.
You are most welcome, Melissa.
What a great initiation into your role of badass grandma!
Brock’s comment still makes me smile!
I’m so glad your family created such a grand reunion to remember your mother, celebrate a graduation, overcome a fear of heights and to strengthen family bonds across diverse lives. Hooray
Thank you, Prescott. Blessings back to you!
Inspiring !! I’m impressed !!
We are wading back into family get-togethers, although with a couple holdouts on getting vaccinated, I fear it will forever change our gatherings as we move indoors for the fall/winter months. Thanks for sharing the joy and togetherness. May we hunker down another couple seasons and emerge stronger and more connected than before.
Dear Bonnie Rae, Yes, things keep changing and we must keep adapting and celebrating joy when we cane! Ann
Hats off to you and your sisters for your extraordinary planning and visioning of this healing, unifying gathering. I can feel your mom shimmering with delight!
You know, all four of us girls feel that shimmering from mom who very clearly told us, “I don’t need any special celebration.” We told her WE did and that she would be wonderfully surprised.
Somehow my response to you did not post. What I originally wrote is that Mom said she didn’t want us to go to any trouble around a memorial—so like her. And I am totally sure she really enjoyed herself!
Hi Ann,
What a nice family reunion! Meanwhile here in BC I’m still waiting to see my sister from Point Roberts. Soon!
I loved how you felt the “grandma generation” had to show your stuff. I get into that position sometimes. So grateful for grandchildren.
Love from Jenny Getsinger in Vancouver.
Hope you get to see your sister in Pt. Roberts! Such an interesting situation they are in, surrounded by Canada and water only. And, yes, it is true that the grandmother generation sometimes needs to open up stereotypes.
Dear Jennifer, Thought I had responded to you, but it does not show on the Word Press panel. So, trying again. Since the border opens up today, trust you will get to see your sister in Pt. Roberts soon! Yes, so grateful for grandchildren and it is fun to “show our stuff” when we have it! All the best,
Ann
Thanks for sharing this celebration of a remarkable woman and a remarkable clan of family.
You are most welcome!
What a wonderful gathering! Lifelong memories were made; a beautiful way to honor your mother.
Looking forward to seeing you in September!
We are very much looking forward to seeing you!
This is so beautiful Ann. I keep thinking how lucky and blessed you are are.
Dear Patricia, I do feel so very lucky and blessed. Glad to read that our borders are opening today! Ann
What strong loving connections your parents obviously created, between family members, and with nature – so beautifully celebrated together in honouring your Mom. And beautifully described, thank you Ann.
With appreciation and good to see your name, Di! May this find you well.
dear Ann and Christina and family, The loss of our mothers and grandmothers is such a huge passage in our lives and you and your family have honored it so beautifully. There have been so many things to grieve this past year + and to practice love, sharing, community and joy is good for our selves and the world. Thanks for sharing ! love, Kathleen
Kathleen, I am SO very glad to hear from you! Thank you for these fine comments. We need to have a longer exchange soon! Love, Ann
Haha, badass grandma – that’s the title of the year. And you really deserve it.
What a wonderful tribe you have. Well done.
Blessings,
Stefan
Thank you, Stefan! I take that as a real compliment. So good to hear from you.
Thank you dear Ann for sharing this so I can have a glimpse into my Grandmother’s sister’s life. It was so beautiful to watch the video (Charlie Cox sent it along). Please add me to your email list if possible for family updates. (Lisa Cox-Margaret Svedlund/Cox granddaughter)
Lovely to hear from you, Lisa! Definitely will include you on future family updates!