Family reunions

I buried my dad today. It sure has been a week of emotions. I guess I should give you a little history. In a nutshell, I've been the black sheep for over 25 years and haven't had much contact with my siblings or parents in all this time. I have 2 kids that never knew their grandparents....and we all live not far from each other..didn't make it easier. I got a call from my older brother and Sunday, the night he died and a call from my twin brother the next morning...they wanted me there...so I went, with my husband and 2 sons and daughter in law. Except for a sister that is adopted and has major issues with me, the rest was good and I know that my dad would be happy. At one time, he and I had a special daughter/dad bond so I just kept myself at that time of our lives. I hugged my mother and we spoke...I introduced her to my boys and met my neices. Talk about the gene pool, but my older brother's daughter favors me...we have the same nose, profile, dimple in chin, height...freaky! Everyone commented on it the last 2 days. She's 16 and beautiful. His other daughter is a cutie too. My brother and I are the only 2 biological kids that have kids and these 2 girls and my 2 boys met for the first time. It was cool....my mother even sat down between my son and Ted's daughter and at one time held my younger son's hand. It's amazing what a death can do. I don't know where it will go from here, but we all left on good terms. A first in many years.

I'm sad for my dad, it's never easy losing someone. I know he's not suffering anymore. He had congestive heart failure and hasn't been well the last few years. I saw him from time to time at the store or driving by so I saw the illness take it's toll. It was quick and that's a blessing.

Everyone...take the time to offer a smile and a hug. Life goes by so quick.