Kieschnick Family Reunion 2017: Something Old-Something New

The 25th annual Oscar and Lina Kieschnick Family Reunion was held recently and it was another resounding success. Held in Austin Texas, hosted by the Milton and Sylvia Kokel family it had all the traditional trimmings. There was the wonderful opening Mexican dinner party in Julie’s backyard. The hospitality suite was overflowing with all kinds of food and beverages. The golf tournament was especially great as my team won. Of course, the Texas 42 domino tournament was officiated well, the Texas bar-b-cue very delicious, the Sisters Luncheon fun . As always we left after the Sunday morning family worship service grateful and content

Two unexpected wrinkles. Our golf  foursomes were not the usual Saturday groups of 4 guys each. Our foursomes  had both male and female players of all ages and a very wide range of golfing skills. The golf starter noticed that the group was a bit different and got the details from nephew Tim. Tim explained the 26 year history of the K Reunions, the respect for the values exemplified by grandparents Oscar and Lina and the inclusiveness of this event. It resulted in the starter’s surprising reflection as he said “You know my dad is in a nursing home in Dallas. He always asks me to come visit but I admit I have not gone in some 3 years.” After a bit of reflection and urging from Tim the gentleman said,  “I will visit him.” He pulled out his cell phone called his dad and said, “Dad, Saturday after next I will be at your place to see you.”

The second memory is the result of a personal reflection. As we gathered for worship on Sunday I let my mind recall my parents’ history. Mom and Dad’s families have all been Lutheran going back, I suppose, to the Reformation. The tradition of marrying German-Lutheran spouses and then having multiple children was the absolute norm up to the 1950”s. In the year 2017, however I observed the following: We have family members who are Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, none, and probably “other”. We have family members who were born in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Jamaica, S, Korea, Thailand, Spain, Brazil and Israel. Within the four seas all people are brothers and sisters and this was beautifully experienced at the 2017 Oscar and Lina Kieschnick Family Reunion.