Family Is What It Is All About

Delman and Norman were my best playmates growing up. Delman is to the left of me.

These past few weeks it has been impressed upon me once again how important family is.  My younger brother, Delman, passed away on March 26.  As I sat with him the last hours of his life, I realized how precious the time is that we spend with our loved ones.  I thought of the tears of sadness we shed on this side of the veil as we said good-by to my brother for a season and yet I know that on the other side of the veil there are tears of a joyful reunion with loved ones who died many years ago.  I know this is one of the reasons that I feel such a urgency to do family history research.  I want to know who my ancestors are and learn to love them for who they are.  I look forward to the day when I can meet them and be reunited with my parents, brother and an older sister I never had the privilege of knowing.
At the luncheon after the funeral services, as we reminisced and renewed friendships with family, one of my daughters mentioned that it is wonderful how within just minutes of visiting you can feel the warmth of love for family growing within your heart and know that it is a mutual feeling.  That is so true!  The bonds that tie family eternally together are woven tightly with love. 

I attended a social event not long ago where a group of women were talking about how glad they were they no longer had little ones hanging onto them, or teenagers demanding attention and really had no desire to welcome grandchildren into their lives.  My heart broke for them and what they are missing.  My life would be sad indeed without my husband, children, their spouses and my sweet precious grandchildren.  I treasure my association with my siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews.  So to each of you my family who may read this, know that I love you forever and always.  My heart is forever woven with yours.