Family

Last week I received an urgent call from my dad. His youngest brother, my uncle Rob had a massive hemorrhagic CVA (stroke with bleeding). The pressure in his brain was so intense his brain shifted, the blood was actually spilling into the spinal fluid in his back. He died two days later at the age of 50. Ray and I went to Fla to be with my Dad who was devastated. I've never heard my Dad so distraught. We left Tues afternoon, drove 14 hours and got there Weds morn. We spent the day in the hosp with the family, then checked into a hotel. Trey and Chris, a friend of his, met us down there. The next day the family sent Uncle Rob home on hospice care and he died the next morning. We spent all the next day at my grandparents house where he lived, just taking turns sitting by him. He was unresponsive so the family just took turns holding his hand and talking to him. The next morning we received a call that the end was near. Ray and I were packing to leave but had planned to go out there one more time but did not make it before he died. He was surrounded by his siblings and for the first time since my grandparents died 7 years ago my dad said "we were a family". There had been a falling out over my grandparents estate and the family had not been together in seven years. It was neat the first day the memories in my grandparents house. Not much had changed over the years, there's still lots of stuff in the home. Lots of clowns. Lots of pictures. Only there was a hospital bed in the living room with a young man dying in it. The family prepared a meal and several of my cousins were there with their children. I remember seeing that years ago too. I haven't been around my father's family alot but the memories I have are good ones. I've had a little time to think. I have a wonderful family. A father who loves me even though we don't see eye to eye on alot of things. A step mother who loves me and has a gentle smile. A brother who is young but trying to set his path. A step brother and sister who love my dad. A bunch of Aunts and Uncles whom I don't know well but come together when needed. Alot of cousins and now second cousins too. A mother who accepts for who I am and is always there who loves me without question. A brother who is a friend. A mother in law whom I love and who is deeply spiritual. A bunch of brother and sister in laws who are great examples. A bunch of nieces and nephews who are loving, playful, and beautiful. A wonderful husband who does everything he can to make me happy, my heart and soul. Beautiful children...the very air that I breath. Thank God for them all.