Family get togethers
I love my family. My daughters, their husbands, and their children. My parents and siblings, and their families. With everyone in one place we are now a family of 39 with one on the way in a couple of months. We planned a big get together this past weekend. It was an amazing day filled with laughter and chaos. Why chaos? Well, we had 12 children 3 years old and younger. EPIC & CRAZY!!!! We are such a blessed family.
This was one of those days, however fun it was, where there was a bit of sadness for me. I think there should be 40 of us but as life goes there isn’t. As we gathered to take pictures with the family that was a very real moment for me where I knew Mark should have been with me. When I say that, I know he is where he should be, so I am not doubting the sovereignty of God. It’s just a reminder that if he were still here, he would be standing by me for the pictures. We took family pictures. We started with the original Tsika 5, then added our spouses. My parents then took pictures with our children then added their spouses. The best was my parents getting a picture with 14 great grandchildren, but they did it. Tell me you how crazy that was! As Mr. T would say, “I PITY THE FOOL”….taking the pictures!” Then we took our immediate family pictures, one with me, our daughters, sons-in-law and our grandchildren. All in all, it was perfect even though Mark was visibly absent. I took a picture with our grandchildren and for a moment wished him here and then smiled because I am still here and I love being able to take these precious memories!
Believe me when I say I know we are a very blessed family. My brothers and I still have our parents, and with me being the exception, we still have our spouses. Our children are all here and thriving with their spouses and family. They are all wonderful and amazing. I know it could be very different. I say all that to say that as much as I thought I would be sad on this day, I choose to look forward to being with so many that I love being in one place. I choose to be joyful and glad that we are together. Blessed that we can celebrate His goodness and grace one more day. Blessed that we got to celebrate my parent’s birthdays all together.
I know that for many reading this post they are also missing loved ones passed. I know how hard it can be to stand in pictures and know your family member isn’t present. I know how hard it can be to attend celebrations and holidays without them. I also know I can make the choice to celebrate the wonderful holidays and celebrations that will happen because there are still those here with us that want those memories. I know that taking that picture without your loved one is hard, but you choose to do it because it means so much to family still here. I do not want to take the good times and make everyone sad or feel sorry for me. I do want them to just be aware that it may not be the easiest thing for me and for my family and they do. Mark was talked about, and we laughed at some things he would have loved. He was missed but we made it happy and not sad moments. I want to remember my daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren and for them to know that even without their daddy, father-in-law, and Pappy here that we made the best memories! We still had amazing celebrations and holidays and still took those pictures to remember the day we had.
It's in your hands how you choose to enjoy celebrations and the holidays. It is in your hands to make the pictures the best you can and still take a lot of them. It is in your hands to make the memories good or bad, happy or sad, wonderful or bitter. I choose to make them good, happy and wonderful. How about you?
Confident in His love
Isaiah 54:10
