Relationships have ebb and flow. I'm not proud to say that there were times in my life when I pulled away. Times when I didn't appreciate the blessing. Times when I was too self-invloved. Especially through all of my growing and changing from teenager to adult to mother of my own children. But the nice thing about being at this stage in life....I get it. I think we all do. All of my cousins are now late 20's or better and most of us have families of our own. Once again we have so much in common....just like when we were kids sledding down my Aunt Celia's front yard at Christmas parties. We are all in the same boat....life.
This weekend we buried my Uncle Mike Antro. And even tho my Uncle Don was the first of our immediate family to pass....it was years ago and he lived in AZ so I was too naive to understand. Too young to grasp the impact. Too focused on myself to understand my cousin's pain in losing their father. Now, however, I get it. I get the pain of losing a parent. I am a parent. I get the pain of losing a spouse. My heart broke this weekend not only for my Uncle Mike's family, but also for my Uncle Don's family....realizing that this must be hitting home, once again.
So unfortunately, this weekend my cousins and I had something in common again. Only this time it wasn't swimming at Papa's lake and popsicles, it was grief. Sadness. Realization that we are all getting older and that the mortality of this world will bring us back together in the years to come under these circumstances again and again. It is hard. Heavy. Yet hopeful.
One thing I can say about my family is we have a strong network of prayer warriors. I found out this weekend that my Uncle Mike said the rosary EVERY DAY. He volunteered and helped out in ways that I had never known. His humble heart. He spoke to and caressed the bellies of his unborn grandbabies so that as soon as he could, he would hold them and they would be comforted in the familiarity of his arms. He's a retired police officer. A body builder. A quiet, gentle, noble soul.
So we are hopeful. We will one day all be through this cycle of life and reunited in a better place through God's promise and Jesus Christ. I love how Mike's son posted on facebook that he now has to spend the rest of his life trying to get to the same place as his father....by faith, by forgiveness, by love.
With my iphone, I snapped some shots of family after the wake at dinner. I somehow missed Jerry's family...think they came later? And I don't know how I missed Jason's family either? Sorry boys. But I did manage to get some photos to share.
Uncle Carl, Molly, Eric
Kaden (Kevin), Finn (me), Bella (Dave) - next generation of cousins
Melissa & Sydney (Kevin)
Aunt Celia, Aunt Veronica, Patti and Aunt Martha
Aunt Roberta, Kurt & Uncle Jim
Dave & Mike
Sarah (Mike), Tom and Madi (Tom's daughter...not date ; ) LOL
Mike & Sarah
Shannon, Dr. Ry Guy, Nikki & Terri
Eric, Janelle, Emma (Molly), Morgan & Payten
Tom, Madi, Joan (Mom) & Dave
Shannon, Uncle Mark, Aunt Chris, Uncle Mike Tighe, Kevin
Martha & Uncle Carl
Some more candid stuff...like Uncle Carl helping my husband, Shane, tie his tie. The landscaper needed some help. ; )
Long live the bond with UCAT. Carl & I have been buddies since I was a little girl. My mom and I would stay with Sara & him for 3-4 wks every summer.
Watching Carl now with my kids was such a treat. He's 82 years young and still acts like a 5 year old, so they got along GREAT. : ) Finn even asked him if he'd like to bunk with him and Miles one night.
We could not have asked for better weather. The AZ and NC relatives who came in for the services hit our best weekend yet. Carl, Molly & Emma stayed with us, so we took advantage of the sunshine and hit Brandywine Falls trail Sunday morning. The kids loved it.
Molly & I (and Miles distracted. : )
Finn showed Emma where the treasure is buried.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of such a large, loving, faithful, loyal family. If I could have 5 more kids, I would....in hopes that the legacy would continue. It was so nice to see everyone this weekend, despite the heartbreaking reason. Every time we're together, I learn more about life. Listening to my uncles stories about Mike. Watching them cry...and crying with them. Laughing till we cried again. I love all of them. What a beautiful reminder, once again, for me to embrace the ones I love.