My partner and I just returned from his (very large, very animated) annual family reunion. There are kids running around everywhere, delicious “camp” food, and plenty of competitive folks up for a game of anything… especially euchre. “Labor Day” has been a destination and marker in time for the family for the past 35+ years. “Y’all are going to Labor Day, right? We’ll see you then,” is the most common farewell from any other family event throughout the year.
2021 was my 7th Labor Day with the family, and I’m still trying to nail down this secret sauce. It’s hosted at the same location every year with a big pole barn, a pool, and a yard for late-night volleyball games. It’s 60+ aunts & uncles, cousins & second cousins, and “I don’t know how we’re related, but this is so-and-sos.” It’s an intergenerational family tradition that everyone has bought into.
I still don’t know the secret sauce. But if I had to guess, Labor Day created a place to come “home” to every year. A place where you are fully known and loved. Where you grew up and made memories with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, nephews – across all generations.
Daily Learnings 