There really is a circle of life you know.  Families get it.  At least old fashioned families do, I think.  Growing up, ours was a family where family holidays included grandparents, great aunts and uncles, all of their children and children's children, aunts and uncles and cousins.  We weren't perfect.  There were differences, but we loved each other.  ....And we knew each other.  To some degree, I have been able to continue that with my own children and their growing families.  They all know who these people are, they have met them and spent time with them.  We have gone to each other's weddings and sadly to their funerals.

A few days ago, the last of my grandfather's generation passed away.  Her legacy is her family, as she raised seven children.  I have watched over the years as her children and grandchildren have loved and respected her.  I have watched this family grow to include great-grandchildren. 

She has spent 31 years without her husband after her passing.  Her children always made sure she was safe, happy, and mostly loved.  That is a tribute to all of them, and sadly something you don't always see in today's world of self-centeredness. 

One by one, as her siblings passed, this strong lady became the sole matriarch of our family.  Sometimes she shared stories, sometimes she just sat and listened and watched the activity around her.  Sometimes she got very vocal about the activity around her! 

I can remember being at a get together and her hollering at someone (not even one of her own) for playing to rough with a child.  I can remember being at a wedding and having her loudly proclaim her concerns before the ceremony.  And, I can remember her being furious at two funerals because of the flowers.  In her opinion, it was a waste of money! 

Well, my beloved Aunt, I know that you will have many flowers at your funeral.  They won't necessarily be in pots or vases.  They will be the faces of your children, your grandchildren, your great children, your nieces, your nephews, your friends.  They are your legacy.  They are your love.  May you spend eternity in the heavens with your beloved husband and your family who went before you.  May your memory be eternal!

We have all heard the phrase right?  Silence is golden.  They even wrote a song with that title. Think about it.  Sitting on a comfortable chair outside, maybe near a lake or fountain.  Listening to the peace and quiet, birds chirping, breeze blowing. 

Or maybe you are in the house.  There is a scented candle burning.  You are sitting in your big comfy armchair.  Music is playing quietly in the background.  It is all idyllic, until......

You realize that there are anywhere from one to six little people in your house.  Silence is now terrifying!  With all these kids, there is supposed to be noise, laughter, battles, fights, dogs barking.
Silence is bad!!!  Every time there is silence in a house full of children it can only mean one thing!!!  They are up to something no good!!!!!

I still remember the day I walked downstairs because it got a little too quiet and found my children and nephews smiling angelically at me.  Wait a minute!  I noticed a frightened look as I reached over to turn the lights on in the room.  No wonder.  Someone had been throwing a ball in the house, although EVERYONE claims it wasn't her or him.  It's a mystery, but there is my antique floor lamp with the globe taped together with white athletic tape. 

Or yet another day, when I again walked downstairs and heard feet scampering everywhere.  We either had very large mice or kids were hiding before their crime was discovered.  We did NOT have huge mice.  And as I came downstairs, I heard whimpering behind the couch.  There was the "Surprise" neatly tied up in belts and duct tape.  Oddly enough, no one seemed to know how that happened or why he was crying. 

There was also the time that my mother-in-law watched the kids for a few hours.  In their moments of silence the "Blonde" cut chunks off hair off "Mini Me" and "Mini Me" retaliated by chopping the "Blonde's" bangs to an eighth of an inch.  My mother-in law was hoping I wouldn't notice and then claimed that they were only supposed to cut Barbie's hair.

Now, with the grandchildren taking over the household, silence is more frightening than ever.  Mini Me came home one day to find her youngest had turned brown from coloring himself with markers.  Stitch got his hands on some scissors and promptly removed parts of his shirt sleeves.  And let's not even talk about the Jo-nado.  You can be absolutely certain that when it is quiet when she is around, disaster is lurking in the next room.

And then, there is that blissful silence that you come to worship at the end of a long day.  You have all of them confined to their rooms and beds.  You sit down in that big fluffy chair in your pajamas and slippers, cradling a glass of your favorite wine.  The silence really is golden.  Wait, was that a toilet flushing!!!!!  Enjoy the seconds of bliss that you get.  They can be energizing!!  Have a blessed week. 

This may have been my longest absence yet!  Many apologies to those who have enjoyed reading about our army.  Those of you who know me understand that our family has gone through a lot since just before Christmas. 

I hope she will forgive me for opening up about this, but we started with "Mommy" who is only 34, receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer.  Talk about a punch in the gut for all of us.  I am in awe of how she and the Trooper handled all of it.  Together they have guided us through a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstruction.  Faith can not only move mountains, it can build them.

In the midst of "Mommy's" life event, Doc ended up in the hospital and surgery with a hand infection.  In my absence while helping with "Mommy", Calvin and Mini-Me stepped up to the plate and took care of their father.  The rest of the gang pitched in as needed.  I love my gang!!!  There were other surgeries in the gang, the "Stylist" and "Chief".  Again, our gang are a bunch of troopers.

In March, my mother passed away.  Although it was not a great relationship, she was my mother and that brought with it a whole new set of emotions. 

Finally, a bit of fun and good news, but still hectic times....  The "Surprise" and his "Lacrosse" both graduated from college in May and moved home.  Love having them around, but the graduation, party and move were exhausting.  And, they have now added a Great Dane to the mob of hounds that surround us. 

Calvin also finished residency and we attended a beautiful dinner and listened to a speech that touched my heart.  I wish I had it in writing to share.

The "Blonde" got married in July, so that kept us busy with planning, bridal shower, bachelorette party.... all the crazy wedding stuff!!!  The entire gang was in the bridal party including the grandbabies!  I loved it.  And there are two more on the way!! Calvin and P3 are waiting for a baby girl and so are Mini-Me and the Admiral.  That will bring us up to eight. 

Barely time to breathe, and yet I am most grateful for every minute of my life, even the tears.  I came across a letter that "Mommy" wrote to me at Christmas.  I cried....again....  I hope she forgives me for sharing.  It is the kind of letter that every mother should get a chance to receive from their child. (I have taken a few lines out)  So.....

Dear Mom,
Merry Christmas!  This year, I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me and to thank you for the many ways that you have influenced my life.  Without you, I would not be the person that I am today.  You may not realize it, but sometimes it's the little things that are noticed and remembered.  So, here are just a few of the life lessons that I have earned from you.
Intelligence is one of the most important things that a person can possess.  You always encouraged me to read, learn and explore.  With every new experience came new knowledge.  I was always eager to be smart "like Mommy."
Wit is another sign of intelligence.  Your wit continues to make me giggle, and I am proud to say that I think a little of it has rubbed off on me.
Flexibility keeps your sane.  You have taught me that if you try to maintain a rigid schedule, and you are not willing to be flexible, then you will struggle.  Life throws curveballs at you, and you have to be willing to roll with the punches.  You have even shown me that life will continue even if you arrive late...ALL THE TIME!
Generosity.  You paid for a meal for a table of soldiers and always have dollars to spare for the Salvation Army buckets during the holidays.  You taught me that money is not the most important thing in life, and when you have what you need, your money should be used to help others.
Selflessness is a mother's blessing.  You always put EVERYONE's needs before your own.  Your children were the most important things in your life...From skinned knees to hurt feelings, you took care of every wound like it was your won.  Time (and money) was not an issue as long as it fixed my broken heart.
With your selflessness, came both tenderness and firmness.  You were there to walk beside me in my troubles, but also to give me a swift kick in the butt when I needed it.  The late night talks to deal with bullies, anxiety and life were some of the most important moments in my growth.
Faith is the foundation of life.  As we have faced every challenge in my life together, you have always reminded me of the importance of faith.  God is the pillar of your life, and you have firmly passed that faith on to me.  I face every challenge with a prayer on my lips, God in my heart, and a Bible by my side.
I love you Mom.  In the years to come, I hope that my daughters can learn as many of these life lessons from me as I have learned from you.

I cried....again....   Well, my first post back is certainly long and packed with love.  I hope your life is filled with faith, hope and love.  Although we think we are supposed to teach our children, this year, I have learned from them.  Have a blessed day.