SAN BENITO — The Galvan family is numerous and known for having get-togethers where most family members interact. But because of COVID-19 the typical interactions were limited to video calls, texts and phone calls.
However, after all brothers and sisters were vaccinated and received their second dosage, a family reunion happened last Sunday.
Cipriano Galvan, 83, said a day before one sister ended up in the hospital, but Cipriano confirmed she was OK and he and his siblings were able to see her through video. Cipriano got his second vaccine dose March 12 and said even though every sibling had gotten their second dosage, they all kept a safe distance from each other.
“We wore our masks most of the time, of course when we were eating we would take the mask off but we tried to wave at each other,” he said.
“Just the fact that we are able to get together with family is good. I am personally very outgoing and I like to socialize,” he said.
The Galvan family with in-laws is about 800 to 900 people and the last time a majority of them got together was for a family funeral.
“It is important to not lose the connection with family, even to try to keep it going through the phone but at the same time be careful out there. We all got our vaccines but we still maintain our distance and we say hi with our elbows or do a knuckle shake,” Cipriano said.
“I am the type for hugging but now it is done with limits,” he said.
Laura Kristina Galvan, niece of Cipriano, thought about planning the party a week before it happened. Laura said it came to mind as soon as all the aunts and uncles had officially gotten their vaccines. She thought it was time to get everyone together.
“They had not seen each other in over a year and they were very excited. I texted one sibling from each tios and tias to see if they would be comfortable and they said yes and that is how we proceeded,” Laura said.
“There was lots of laughing and they wanted to hug and kiss but we refrained from that. They were grateful to see each other. We are a very big family and last year we had to cancel our family reunion,” she said.
Julie Guerra-Ramirez’s mother, Juanita Galvan Guerra, 85, was one of the siblings who had not seen her siblings in a long time. Guerra said her cousin Laura was the main one who thought about getting the parents together and she could not agree more with the idea.
The party was originally going to be a surprise but Guerra-Ramirez said it was crossed out as an option to not give anyone a heart attack from the impression.
“The party was emotional and fun. They were all wearing their masks and we were greeted by our cousin’s little girl who had hand sanitizer ready and wipes ready,” Guerra-Ramirez said.
Particularly for her, it was more emotional because Guerra-Ramirez had recently lost a loved one herself.
At the reunion barbecue tacos were served, and pastries, which were individually wrapped. Guerra-Ramirez said the group made sure no one had to touch anything too much.
“Their faces said it all. They started talking about when they were young. My grandparents raised a family of ten; it was heartwarming” she said.
“For my mother family is very important and it goes beyond just brothers and sisters, they are very proud of their families and the children they have raised,” Guerra-Ramirez said.
