I have thought a lot about family in recent weeks. A few weeks ago three friends of ours had parents die within a few days of each other. As we sat through each of these funerals we listened to the families share their memories, laughter, tears and love. Each family is different and it made me so appreciative to have mine. This last weekend we got to be with my aunt and uncle in Dallas and my cousin who spent much time at our house growing up. It was so much fun to think back on our memories - the good and the bad. We laughed so hard and we enjoyed watching the next generation of cousins playing together. My favorite line is what Hogan told his best friend when we got home. When asked what we did in Dallas he replied " we ate the whole time!" As you can guess we were with the Howard's. It was all about the taste! (and my Uncle Jerry is the king of BBQ!!!)
Tonight I went to my first meeting of a different kind of family - the Family Advisory Council at Children's Healtcare of Atlanta - Scottish Rite. This is a committee I was asked to be on. We are going to be working to "advance family-centered services and support through the NICU policies, practices and procedures". As I walked out of my meeting I was hit with a wave - an overwhelming wave of grief. I have been back up to the hospital several times and really do fine most of the time. Sp this hit me out of the blue! Maybe it was reliving our experiences there or maybe it is just a relief to be helping through my experience. It was so good to be able to call a grieving friend who is part of my family - the family of God. We can also laugh together, cry together and share memories but we can also share the knowledge and joy that parts of our family are in heaven. Whatever the family God has provided here on earth, it is such a comfort to know we have a family beyond this earth led by a heavenly father. We rest in the love of Jesus and the overwhelming power He has, yet he cares about every little detail of our lives.
