I’ve been with my family for the past few days. I love my family. Although we are spread out geographically, we are close. When we spend time together, it’s always a time of laughter and sharing, of reconnecting and remembering previous gatherings where we laughed and shared. I realize how blessed I am for that; I always leave my family feeling recharged and refreshed, all tension dissipated, and I know how rare that is.
Yesterday, Reese asked me to share with her a good memory of my grandmother, and I realized I have only good memories of her. Then I realized that part of the reason I treasure my family so much, and that I enjoy time spent with them, is that my grandmother worked throughout her life to ensure we all knew and understood the importance of the love and support that family can bring.
Today was the memorial service. My great-uncle, my grandmother’s brother, is a Catholic priest, and for the third time in my lifetime said the Mass of Christian burial for a member of our immediate family. He mentioned this during his homily–the difference between those two services, for my mother and my uncle, who both died much too young, and this service, where we mourn a loss but celebrate a life that was lived to the fullest and brought so much love to all of us. Even in her death, my grandmother brought our family together, to laugh, to share, to enjoy each other’s company. I think she would have liked that.
Entries like this one truly show that you really are a talented writer.
Just thought I’d point out what you perhaps had not noticed.
This is a wonderful, heartfelt tribute to a woman who obviously loved, nurtured and enjoyed her family….this is evident in your words. I’ve no doubt she’d be proud of you for expressing these loving thoughts.
Take care.