A Celebration of bring our family together
Hello, Family, January 22nd 2015
It’s getting a little late in January to still wish you a Happy New Year. But, I am--Happy New Year. Celebrate Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.’s birthday this weekend with some act of kindness and/or community service.
I’m coming to you with a concern—that the Family of Samuel and Ethel Mason have not had a reunion in several years. It hurts me because grandmother asked that we keep the family together. Family was so important to her since she came from humble beginnings as an orphan. We are the legacy of Samuel and Ethel. We should be very proud.
Everybody’s busy. Everybody is broke. Everybody has kids coming/going to college. But, let’s take some time out and come together. Let’s put aside old grudges, hurts and disappointments. Let’s make some sacrifices across the board. The younger generation does not know their kin. We don’t know them. Let’s get acquainted. Let them know the stock they come from and be proud of their Mason lineage.
I’m proposing two opportunities to do so.
MEMORIAL WEEKEND – Someday during May 23-25, 2015; or after and,
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (COUSINS AWARDS BANQUET)—Sat., Dec. 26, 2015.
Memorial Day is the time to remember and honor our history, our past. My brother, Fred, is going to be sending you a survey of ideas he has and get your input.
Christmas Time is a natural time for families to be together. We want to establish a new tradition: The “COUSINS AWARDS BANQUET.” It’s envisioned to be a time when the spotlight shines on our youth. We would recognize their academic and/or sports achievements. Grandmother always said, “make sure your children are more progressive than you.”
These are
recommendations only. I’m also seeking
leaders from around the family to grab some helpers and spearhead these
events. Personally, God gave me these
visions, especially the banquet. But, I
feel I don’t have any fresh ideas. Of
course, I’m always available to help, but we have some younger, strong
leaders. I pray they will step up and
run with these proposals and flush out the details. Can we “make it work?”
Lastly, let’s reach out to all branches of the family. It would be thrilling to have descendants representing each of Samuel & Ethel’s children. Should that a goal?
Love you all.
Velda (Mason) Gullap
January 16, 2015
