Thomson Family Reunion

July 31 - August 3rd

The Thomson Clan gathered in Utah for the "Every-Few-Years Family Reunion". The descendants of my grandparents, Rulon and Marguerite Thomson, came from as far south as Phoenix, Arizona and as far north as Alberta, Canada. Grandma and Grandpa Thomson had five children and today their posterity includes 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. My Grandpa passed away in 1980 and my Grandma followed in 1993. We miss them and for us it is a joy to be together and to honor them and the good lives they lived.


At the reunion we also welcomed my Great Aunt Norma, some of her kids and grandkids, and some honorary "adopted family members". We had so much fun camping, playing, swimming, eating, listening to stories, and just being together!

That weekend we attended church and during the Sunday School lesson the teacher covered the scripture Alma 37:6 where it says, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." I had been thinking about this throughout the reunion. My grandparents didn't do anything that was particularly worthy of the world's acclaim, but they did raise a great family that continues generation after generation. While discussing this with my uncle I learned that they were also humble members of their own local congregation. Uncle Larry said, "The entire time I knew [Rulon Thomson] he was a greeter at the church, never a bishop or a stake president, just a greeter. But, look at what they left."

They did the simple things, they prayed, they taught their children from the scriptures and they built their family foundation upon the rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was love in their home. The served others and taught their children by example.

Through small acts they left a happy and loving posterity that continues in the same tradition. All of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are active in the church, and even though we are far from perfect we are all trying to follow the perfect example of our Savior.

I love being with my extended family! For me, it's a huge blessing to be surrounded by so many people that I love and admire. I am strengthened by their faith and I recognize the lasting influence of a good mother and a good father doing the small and simple things.