Heritage and Destiny Harris and Dotstry Family Reunion July 2023 Memories Crowd Upon Us. Adapted from Howard Thurman ________________________________________
Memories crowd upon us as we look back over the week just passed: Reflections on the Harris-Dotstry family Reunion - Many high hopes, Many dreams realized and unfulfilled. Many blunders of history, of the moment, and in the sharpness of our anguish to be better stewards of life and gifts bequeathed to us. We would turn back the wheels of time, but another generation will try again.

The H D Family reunion brought many joys that were unanticipated. Many little graces by which our faith in ourselves and in life were lifted up and strengthened. The hidden unity of family was there, much is forgiveness; much we need to forgive.

All around us, O God, were reminders of God’s Presence in our midst and throughout family history. The journey of the descendants of William Dotstry, Mattie Harris Dotstry and Eddie Harris - the great joy, hope, dreams, peace, imagination, the joy, and burden of anguish which we feel as we look out upon the world. We are much better than the worst thing history attempted to do us - pangs of conscience is birthing a new generation of possibilities.

We saw during this family reunion the spontaneous impulse to do the kind and gracious thing, aware of the sensitivity to another’s needs.

As the H D journey continues toward the next family reunion, teach us, O living Spirit, the wisdom to lay ourselves bare to God’s scrutiny – that the H D Descendants may reflect God’s life at all levels of living in the dark places of our minds, hearts, and desires.

That we may know the courage our ancestors found in God, that another generation will have the ancestor’s resilient faith– and children yet unborn will know and stand on the ground of God’s love, dream, hope, peace, joy, and imagine a righteous future. We are keepers of these Rocks. 

Uncle Forrest Harris- Nashville, TN