Family

So I have returned from my trip to New York and I feel refilled. I am still sad and miss my Nana so much but I am so thankful for my family. I feel full of love, warmth and have that beautiful feeling you get when you know that someone cares. And not the knowing that you get by telling yourself someone cares about you, but the knowing that you get because they have told you. All being together to remember Nana and to love her all together was magical. My life would not be the same without my incredible parents and brother and of course, my wonderful husband and adorable son. I am so grateful that I have the most wonderful, loving and quietly humorous Grandfather. I am so thankful that I have such amazing aunts and uncles - all 21 of them - and for my invaluable cousins - all 24 of them. The thing that makes this family even better is that Doug and James are a part of this love as well and share in this unique bond. With this, I too am blessed with an in-law family of my own, Doug's family; The Sennotts and Carlsons that love us so much as well.

As my father spoke at the funeral, he reminded us that Nana welcomed everyone in as family. My mother's family is a part of the family, all of the in-law families Nana considered to be a part of the family. This is a way of living that we all can emulate. Just as my father reminded us, I will share with you all, call your husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and children and tell them how much you love them and how important they are to you and how proud you are of them. Life is a gift and those around you with whom you share this gift are to be treasured.