Day 187 Strong Family Ties

July 12, 2015
Day 187

True gifts are held in one's heart and not in one's hands. Reconnecting with relatives in the heart of the Fingerlakes was Christmas in July. I am speechless. This time goes deep into the recesses of my heart. We are tied not only by blood but by the Spirit.

The last time we were all together was for my Aunt Nan's funeral. This time it was for her granddaughter's wedding, Allison to Colin. She would have wanted to live for this. Her grandchildren were her pearls. Uncle Bill, suffering from dementia, had he known would have wanted to be present this weekend as well. Nan is missed in death and Bill is missed in life. Life is full of polarized emotions.

Her children are impressive. Her one son is married to a woman who embodies calm elegance with a focus on Jesus. This woman can work a crowd and it would never look political, self serving or contrived. She breathes peace. Their three sons are counter culture men who moved to Colorado to live out their christian faith with authenticity. They refuse to be defined. My cousin their father, though a joker, has a deep and abiding faith.

This guy, Nan's oldest son is fun on steroids. To take it up a notch is all he knows, laughter is breathing for him. Just when you thought something wasn't funny he has changed your mind without your consent. Don't let this guy fool you, though his laughter will try to distract you, the man has deep thoughts.

Aunt Nan's oldest daughter, a nurse by trade and an intentional mother by day and night, is another picture of strong calmness. Her husband provides dental care with an adeptness that has created a true fan base and she has aided him in his practice with her strong organizational skills. Yearly they both travel to Nicaragua helping those less fortunate with dental care. This couple has done something right, both their children are heading for the medical field. Someone should have taken notes.

Aunt Nan's third child has always been a mover and a shaker. He is in Chicago working for Sear's at the corporate level running meetings with his strong organizational and relational skills. Audio visual has always been his flare and he uses it well. He is also good at creating a strong team that not only will but wants to do what he says. He, along with his other siblings is not one to brag about who he knows but he knows many influential folks.

Nan's baby is moving to Belgium with her three children and husband, a West Point grad. They will be living in a restored castle from the 1600's with its own personal moat. The chandeliers in their new home are older than our country. Her husband has been in the military their entire married life and has just been transferred to Belgium. All of the details of the move are amazing but still a bit fuzzy to me. This woman is just as impressive as her husband in a military sort of way, she has been called the little general. Aunt Nancy knew how to pass on her strong organizational skills to her children and her baby was just another recipient.

Aunt Nan would be proud of her children's humility and their walk with Jesus. Though the four of them have much to brag about, they don't. These folks are more than my cousins, they are my sisters and brothers in Jesus. This is life at its best and how it should be; family members enjoying time spent together and knowing their time doesn't end with this life.

Last night at the wedding I watched them dance and dance and dance and dance. The fun, the love, and all the moves were tied together in one big love fest! This family loves and loves well. This was a wedding well worth the trip and now my prayer is that Allison and Colin will make the most of their trip. To God be the Glory.