Celebrate

This past weekend was full of celebration. It was a time to celebrate life. Many times I find myself not fully taking the time to stop and celebrate life. Just like many people, I find myself so engulfed with my daily routine that I do not take the time to appreciate what is right in front of me. I sat down about a week ago and mentally examined my life past, present, future. I find to hard to believe that I am already in my 30s. Time is traveling so quickly and am I really enjoying everything that life has to offer? I want to be able to embrace life and celebrate the accomplishments big or small that my family experiences. I want to make an effort to reach out to those I love and celebrate with them what life has to offer. It is a beautiful thing to sit with the ones you love and celebrate a life that is no longer living or is just entering into the world.

First this weekend was to celebrate the life of my uncle. It was a beautiful luncheon that had wonderfully captured who my uncle was and what he loved to do. Looking at the pictures and the video made memories of my childhood flood back into my mind. I remember being terrified of my uncle because of how he looked. The hair, the beard, the clothes. He had the ability to look like a biker without a bike. It was not until I grew older that I saw him for what he really was.. a teddy bear. He was kind and full of love for his family. I was a constant presence at his house.  I remember family trips to Houghton Lake. I remember watching the three stooges in the living room. Every memory that I have of him fills me with such joy. Memory is a beautiful ability to have. It is the ability to look back and see what and who had a hand in making me the person I am today. Having a childhood full of laughter and love, strengthened me to create a life full of wonderful qualities to share with my children.  He is one person I  thank for making me who I am today.

The weekend also included the celebration of new life. My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first child in April. It brings me such joy to know that my oldest brother is becoming a father. I see the way he talks about his daughter and it still brings me to tears. The love between father and daughter is something so endearing and powerful that most days I sit in awe of the relationship. I have always looked up to my brother and am so happy that he is beginning this journey with my sister-in-law.

Also my step-sister gave birth to my sweet baby niece this weekend. I am honored to know that she shares a piece of me. Her middle name is the same as mine. To know that my step-sister picked it because she believes in me as a person and knows that I will be a wonderful role model to my niece is a lot of pressure! haha! I am up for the challenge to help my niece explore the world and to know that anything that she begins to even dream, can become a reality.

This weekend was filled with love, joy, and memories. It gave me the ability to reminiscence about my past and to pray for the future.