I recently attended a cookout/family reunion in Louisburg, North Carolina, a small town in the Raleigh-Cary metro area. The amazing event was hosted by my brother Napoleon Winston Griffin and his lovely wife Jane Burrell-Griffin. My sister-in-law Jane was the master planner. I must admit I had never seen such a wonderful affair. At its core, my brother and sister-in-law’s majestic eleven thousand square foot mansion and 612 sprawling acres of pasture and trees inspired all in attendance and allowed us to escape from the routines of our everyday. There were four main families celebrated: the Burrells, the Haywoods, the James, and the Griffins. 

Seven hundred guests were invited to the one day affair all expenses paid by the hosts. Four hundred and fifty actually attended. Many of the guests had never been to the estate. All of the activities were held on the mansion grounds even though the banquet room and library inside the mansion was ready to accommodate all of the guests in case of rain. 

Earlier this summer Debra and I gave my brother a mega grill that I had specially made at the Department of Corrections. He had it fired up for six hours straight with chicken and ribs. My brother’s cooks also fried fish. The food was spectacular. The carriage rides were also a big hit. Even my brother’s horses put on a show running around the pasture. 

The guests were entertained by the legendary Willie Perry’s “Heavenly Voices Gospel Group”. Several of my talented relatives also helped with the entertainment. The event was televised and aired on network television in North Carolina. 

And so, the event was all about home---welcoming and celebrating family and friends----and the spirit of the Griffin Estate beyond its 612 acres. It was true in the beginning and it remains true today. 

Planning is the key to a successful family reunion and I must admit this one was a huge success. In the words of my wife Debra “I have never seen anything like this!” and in the words of a little seven year old boy in attendance: “This is the bestest time I have ever had!” Family reunions are very high on my list of “things I’m grateful for.”

In the words of my dad: “Stay away from the pig ears and fried pork chops.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.”