Forty-five years ago, I married into the Shih family that numbers 34 people today. My mother-in-law was the matriarch who enabled everyone to attend especially when all of us were busy raising little ones. Now her children and respective spouses represent the oldest generation.
In Inverness, CA, we had our 2017 Shih Family Reunion organized by the oldest of the 4 children. Each family had members in attendance comprising of now 3 generations. Quickly the youngest sat together for meals. The middle generation shared child-rearing tips and work experiences while the oldest were looking forward to retirement golden days. For me, it’s already here!
My mother-in-law taught us years ago this Chinese ditty with hand motions called the “Glue, Glue” song. Some remembered the tune, a few others some of the words, and the youngest generation knew nothing at all.
At my last Baptist ministers meeting, Andy Kille shared a midrash-type story that was apropos to our reunion. I shared it with the family.
Great Grandfather rabbi goes to the place, lights a candle, and says a prayer and the people are saved.
Grandfather rabbi goes to the place, lights a candle but doesn’t know the prayer and the people are saved.
Father rabbi goes to the place, doesn’t know how to light the candle or says the prayer but the people are saved.
Son rabbi stays in his office because he doesn’t know where the place is or knows how to light the candle or says the prayer but the people are still saved.
The moral of the story is that as each generation comes and goes, we may not remember all of the stories or traditions but as long as we come together as a family, we would be blessed.
In Hebrews 11:12, we know that Abraham and Sarah were faithful and therefore it says, “Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’”