Family

“Being family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.”                                                                                                                                         Lisa Weed

Yesterday, we had the joy of attending my great-niece’s wedding. Actually, it was the second time this year that we celebrated the wedding of a great-niece, and it was simply a wonderful time to be with extended family again.

This year has not always been filled with joyous family reunions. We have also had two funerals, with the passing of my dear brother-in-law Lou, and then just weeks later, the passing of his precious daughter, Lori. Yes, the year has been marked by some profound family events.

However, as we were celebrating the wedding, I looked onto the dance floor, and there was my nephew, Geoff, dancing with his daughter, the bride, Jackie. He was symbolically giving her over to her new husband as is the custom of that dance. As the music played, I Loved Her First, by Heartland, there were many tears- tears of joy and sadness both.

I was struck by this beautiful scene, and then I recalled the moment, some 54 years ago, that I received the call from my brother and his wife, Pat, reporting that their first-born son had arrived- it was the man I was watching now dancing with his daughter.  

So, the circle of life and family moves on. I just wanted to take a moment to share it, because family is beautiful, and we need to cherish one another in the moments we now hold.

They won’t be here forever…

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the rich blessing of family, Amen