I am currently with our extended family. We gathered in San Angelo, Texas for my father-in-law's memorial service, which turned out to be a celebration of his life. We also celebrated his passage into the presence of Jesus where there is no more pain, no more trials and tribulation and no more disappointments. There were relatives from his family as well as my mother-in-law's family. (She passed on almost a year ago.) We learned so many things about Ron's early life and the things that influenced him to become a great and humble man. It's too bad that deaths in the family are the catalysts that bring us together because we are a great family. My sister-in-law, Becky, commented that with Ron and Faye no longer with us, we would have to be deliberate about getting together more often than funerals and weddings. Ron and Faye seemed to be the initiators of family gatherings, so with them no longer with us, it would be our responsibility to plan to be together.
My husband has 3 brothers and a sister. His brothers and sister are all married with children, and the children are growing and having children of their own. We were introduced to my nephew's new wife and the family finally got to meet our own daughter-in-law and grandson. One of the greatest aspects of our family is that we are all close; the brothers and their wives, the sister with all of us and our children are friends with each other. We live all over the country so getting together takes an effort. But what a reward when we do!
I have 2 older brothers but they are somewhat older than me so I really grew up as an only child. I longed for a big family and finally got one when I married my husband. They are a treasure to me, a blessing I do not deserve. But who deserves the gift of a large loving family? Were it not for the grace of God, we would be alone in the world. Our family doesn't share just bloodlines, we also shares the bond of the blood of Jesus and THAT is the biggest blessing.
I hope, whatever the size of your family, that you will experience the gift that family is.
