Family, I am sorry this is so long, but I am still feeling the love shown during our 50^th Reunion.  I cannot begin to describe to you our reunion, “A Royal Affair.”  You would have had to be there to truly appreciate it.  At the fish fry on Friday, all the guys from Atlanta had on black aprons with the same logo as the tee shirts that all of us wore on Saturday.  Upon entering, everyone received a charcoal gray beaded 50^th Reunion bracelet.  The food was plentiful and delicious.  The great music and the entertainment called “Crawford’s Best” showed that there are talented people in the Crawford family.  There was a tie for the winner.  Daquan Crawford (Aunt Daught’s great grandson) from Fort Myers won for his dance number and Kandice Bell won for her creative rendition of a dramatic reading.  Both performed again on Saturday during the banquet.

Saturday morning we took the family picture in our black “Celebrating Our Legacy” shirts. Afterwards we were on our own until banquet time.  The banquet was held at the Atlanta Zoo Conservatory which is a beautiful museum-type building.  As we entered the building, there at the entrance stood giant photos of Ma and Pa on ornate iron floor stands.  Then our eyes immediately went to the ceiling because hanging from the ceiling were fourteen photos each about 18″ x 24″ of Ma and Pa’s 14 children.  There was not a photo of their second child, Cody, because unfortunately no one has a picture of him.  He is the only one we do not know how he looks.

As we continued to look around, on the wall on the right side, blown up very large so that it could be read from a distance, was my mother’s recipe for sweet potato pies written in Rosa’s own handwriting!  On the left wall was a recipe for a pound cake written by Annie Will Robinson.

From there our eyes were drawn to the red carpet and “The Crawford Walk of Fame.”  On either side of the red carpet were fifteen 12″ x 12″ ceramic tiles—one for each of Ma and Pa’s fifteen children.  Each had a large gold star in the middle which included the name of one of the fifteen.  It was wonderful!  When the banquet was ready to begin, we approached the red carpet and were handed a souvenir program book that was a deep gold color with beautiful light gold textured pages inside.  Inside the book were:  (a) greeting and picture of the Atlanta Chapter members, (b) pictures of Ma and Pa, (c) a picture of the 14 sisters and brothers at Ma’s funeral, (d) letters from the Mayor, two State Representatives, one Senator, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and (e) a letter of greeting from President Barack Obama and an autographed picture of the first family!

After walking the red carpet, we were ushered into a theater which seated about 250 people.  Nearly every seat was filled.  There was an orchestra pit and there playing the drums sat our little cousin, Kalijah Arrington (Aunt Beatrice’s great grandson).  The Minister of Music from General’s church played throughout the program.

The program began with a prelude by all the Atlanta members (about 20 of them) coming in (ladies in black formal wear and men in tuxes or black suits with gold bow ties) singing “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.”  The occasion was peppered with 17 of the Atlanta  Chapter members sitting randomly around the theater.  One by one, they stood to portray each of the fifteen children plus Ma and Pa.  They did this by reciting a brief biography of the person they represented.  This brought tears to many an eye!  I was one of those who was teary eyed.

We naturally sang our family song, “Every Year Carries a Number” lead by Annie Will.  If you have not heard Chrissy give the family history, you have truly missed a treat.  I have written a personalized poem for many, many reunions.  So after Chrissy did the family updates, I read this year’s 50th reunion poem.

Our memorial is usually conducted by Harold “Love” Curington and his sister, Oteia Richard, but this year he was helped by other cousins (Precious Raines, Adrian Raines, Kent Crawford, Kandice Bell and Kimbra Bell).  Ten year old little cousin Kelsi Fears (Aunt Easy Brays’ great granddaughter) did a wonderful interpretive dance (ballet) as the pictures of our deceased loved ones were shown above her on the theater screen.  It was so moving!  This was also a part of the memorial.

We have only one living aunt who is 86 years old.  Aunt Marie (Renella) King lives in Detroit.  She did not feel up to attending the reunion, but Helen and I visited her in June and recorded her video-taped message to the family which was played during the program.

The Atlanta Chapter asked each chapter to produce a video ad for their city; however, only Gary and Atlanta did the ads.  Both ads were great.  The Gary ad was narrated by Helen.  It was called “Gary, the City of Champions.”  We plan to show it again at the reunion in Gary in 2013.  Plan now to attend.  Put the third weekend in July on your calendar.  In 2014, we will be in Montgomery.  Detroit is planning to host the 2015 reunion.

Watch out Tara Banks and Imani because the Crawfords have Udozo!  Udozo Okeke (Uncle James’ granddaughter) modeled a gown made entirely of Crawford family shirts!  It was something to see.  We will have the dress on display at the reunion in Gary next year.  You have got to see this dress!  Pictures do not do it justice.  After we left the program in the theater, we were led to an elegant banquet hall where the food was absolutely delicious.  We ate and then danced the night away.

Sunday was a glorious day.  We were asked to wear hats to church, and our ladies had on some spectacular hats!  I did not bring one since I was flying, but General (Son) had on a white and black hat.  I wore a white suit with a black blouse and white and black shoes. Guess who wore a white and black man’s hat to church?  Yes, I did and looked good in it.  We had a wonderful, spirit-filled service at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church.  Their illustrious pastor, Rev. Jerry D. Black, delivered a dynamite sermon.  All of us truly enjoyed it and could feel the spirit moving through that place!  Three other family reunion groups also worshipped there, but they were small in number compared to the Crawfords.  We were the only group that made a donation to the church (over $400).

After church we went to Evonne Bundy’s beautiful home on the lake for dinner.  That food was delicious, too.  The people in Atlanta can really cook.  You know they use to own a restaurant that was the talk of the town!

The members of the Atlanta chapter paid attention to every detail, not one stone was left unturned!  I do not know how they did everything that they did, but they did it.  They made this reunion truly “A Royal Affair.”  This reunion will not be forgotten.  We all had positive things to say about the reunion, and everybody left there on a natural high.  All I can say is if you missed this, our 50^th reunion, you truly missed something.  There will never be another one like it!  Perhaps our 100^th may be just as memorable?

In order to keep our family reunion going, we must encourage our young people so they will want to know about their ancestors.  It has been a long time since we have seen what we saw this year in Atlanta—Crawfords of all ages were in attendance:  infants, children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged adults, and “seasoned” adults!  Everyone enjoyed themselves.

I know Ma and Pa and their 14 children were smiling down with pride and watching over us at “A Royal Affair.”

Love,

Dorothy