Just got back from a family reunion in Seattle.

We got in about 1:15 this morning.

We are tired, but remarkably refreshed.

Maybe it’s because our senses are still in awe over once again functioning at sea level.  We’re sleeping more soundly so we feel more renewed.

That COULD be it.  But I think there’s more…

Maybe it’s because we’ve been surrounded by trees and beautiful views, nestled in the middle of God’s glorious creation in a forest in Issaquah, WA.

That’s a definitely a contender.  But I think there’s more…

Maybe it’s because we were in a place where there were no schedules or agendas.  No time clock to punch, no deadlines, no “have-to’s”.

That absolutely played a part.  But I think there’s still more…

Like the fact that we all played silly improv games and acted out scenarios and made complete and utter fools of ourselves and laughed ourselves sick.

Or the way this mostly non-athletic bunch (there ARE a few exceptions to this rule :-)) went out and played their hearts out at volleyball and basketball and worked up a good, healthy sweat in the process.

Or the sweet times of listening to my dad, the patriarch of this crazy clan, sharing his heart with us through scripture, stories and tears and many of us crying right along with him.  Good, precious tears.

Or when my wonderful son-in-law led us in worship with his guitar and I could hear each of my kids’ voices blending with the rest of their extended family.  (We are definitely more musical than athletic!)

Or watching the cousins during their spontaneous jam session, playing background music for the conversations that were going on in the other rooms.

Or the good (endless) food, or standing around a fire making s’mores, or playing games. or hearing stories of childhood from each generation that we’d never heard before.

The list for why we came home exhausted but refreshed is endless.

But there is an underlying cause that wraps all these reasons into one.

The people.

I have an amazingly imperfect, beautifully quirky, wonderfully authentic family.  More than ever, our gathering represented nothing less than unconditional love and acceptance.

We are a family that has learned that real trumps fake.  That grace is a way of life. That laughter can soften the edges of the reality of pain.  That it is better to sweat in a game of basketball than over the small stuff.  That singing and talking and praying and playing together are the ways that make our bonds not just stronger, but deeper.

The family reunion is over.  But the family union is stronger than ever….

And all I can think to say to Jesus is “Thank you”.