Remember When

We are fortunate to collect people everywhere we go.  We are unfortunate to collect people everywhere we go.  

 

We had a sweet experience this week.  Sam's cousin, Katherine, whom he hasn't seen in decades, called up and said they were in the area and asked if we might be able to meet them downtown. We ended up having them over to our house for dinner and games.  The kids thought it was amazing that a cousin, Katherine and Oscar's son Alex (2nd and once removed or something like, I don't know), was coming to their house to visit.  They don't get to see cousins often but they talk about them all the time so this was a real treat.  They stayed up late, ate lots of ice cream, played games, watched movies, and jumped their brains silly on the trampoline.  As I enjoyed my children playing with family I experienced a realization.

 

Forward a couple of days to last night.  Fireworks, food, games, tazmanian devil children (12 of them!), and great friends to ring in the new year.  At one point during the fireworks I was standing behind Jacob and his little friend Kia (they will be married, although he married Caylee today on the trampoline and just a few short weeks ago he was going to marry Ashlyn ... stay tuned!)  anyway ... Jacob and Kia were snuggled together in a chair and Jake said, "Remember when we were sitting in that one chair ... " and Kia followed with a giggle and another "Remember when ...".  The chatting and giggling lasted for a few minutes and as I took it all in, with lights and booms glaring and blasting all around me, I experienced another realization.

 

Tonight as Sam came in to check out the new blog background and catch up on posts he's missed, he told me about Jakey's prayer.  Talking about the new friends we'll make in WI and all the new adventures we'll have.  I experienced another realization, and they all tie together in a nice little package.  Family.

 

We have family everywhere we go.  Wether by title and bloodline, or by endearing association if only for a short time.  There may not be years.  There may not be months, weeks, days, or even hours.  But there are always moments, and the people in our life make those moments sweeter and richer.  We have more family than we could ever dream of and yet in some ways it feels like we have none.  I finally realized that we are always blessed with great people to fill the gaps left in other states, even by family.  While I never expect to stop feeling sad that my children are missing out when I hear about family gatherings and such, I am confident the Lord is providing what they need to fill their lives with joy beyond measure. In my longing for something that isn't I wasn't fully acknowledging what is.  Thank you all for listening to, taking an interest in, caring about, encouraging, praising, and loving my children in whatever way you do while you know them.  It means everything to me, everything.  

  

So, we are fortunate to collect people and not so fortunate to leave those whom we collect.  It brings tender moments with tears, and anxious moments with prayers and hope for more of the same wherever we are.  And of course it brings "Remember when ..." moments for a lifetime. For all those moments I am so grateful and I look forward to many more.  Tender and sweet with pangs of loss and grief, we have family everywhere.  We are so fortunate.  Now I will dry my tears.

 

And then I shall lay on the floor and kick and scream for all the wonderful people we are about to leave.  It must feel good, better than crying anyway.  And last, I will follow my little Jake's big example, and laugh about the remember whens and thank my Heavenly Father for what He is about to bless us with.