A Heartfelt Update and Reflection on Our Family Reunion Preparations

Dear FGHT Family,

I hope this message finds each of you well and filled with anticipation for our upcoming family reunion in Charlotte. As we draw nearer to the date that will bring us together again, I've been reflecting on the journey of preparation and the road ahead.

When I volunteered to host this year's reunion, motivated by the warmth and joy of our last gathering in Nashville, it was with a heart full of excitement and arms open to the challenge. My primary aim was to ensure that every family member had the necessary information and accommodations well in advance, fostering an environment where our time together could be focused on making memories rather than managing logistics. To this end, I dedicated countless hours to building our reunion website, securing favorable hotel rates early, and doing everything within my power to lay the groundwork for a successful event.

However, this journey has its challenges. The unpredictability of hotel inventory and the economic landscape has presented challenges beyond my control despite my best efforts. More disheartening, though, has been the sense of unappreciated efforts amidst the negative energy that has occasionally surfaced. This feeling has been a heavy burden, dimming the light of what I envisioned as a labor of love for our family.

I want to be clear: my dedication to our family and the success of our reunion remains unwavering. This role, chosen out of love and respect for our family's bond, is one I have embraced wholeheartedly despite the personal sacrifices it has entailed.

As we look ahead, the Executive Board's meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, to finalize the reunion costs. I sincerely hope this meeting will be a turning point, allowing us to address any outstanding concerns and move forward collectively with a renewed spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.

I am sharing these reflections and asking for your support and understanding. Let us approach the remaining preparations—and our time together—with open hearts and minds, remembering that the strength of our family lies in our ability to unite in love, even in the face of challenges.

Thank you for reading my thoughts and your ongoing contributions to our family's legacy. I look forward to overcoming the current challenges together and to a reunion that will be remembered for the joy, love, and unity it embodies.

With heartfelt gratitude and hope,

Sheby