My family is absolutely amazing and inspires me at every opportunity. This past weekend was what most would say should have been a sad and somber weekend. My family gathered together to celebrate the life of my Uncle Bob who passed a few weeks ago. It was a very sudden loss that we did not expect, I know I'm still sorting through the reality of it. I saw him so recently and it's hard to imagine him not being close by.
My Uncle was the oldest of 9 children and had tried countless times to get everyone together so they all could meet. So, at the celebration of his life, the rest of his siblings had the opportunity to meet... for the first time. It was kind of surreal to be meeting aunts and uncles whom I've never met, and I'm 29 years old! I can't even imagine how strange it would feel to meet a SIBLING in my 60's-70's. It seemed like everyone was happy to be together and to remember their treasured memories of Bob.
We even managed to get them all in the same place for a quick picture with my Grandma Lyn (Bob's step mom).
What I remember most about the celebration was this: My Aunt, Bob's wife, made a very simple speech. She pointed that things can change at the blink of an eye, that over in less than a month Bob went from his normal self, to being in a hospital bed, to passing in the arms of his family. She encouraged everyone to stop saving 'those things' for a special occasion. 'Go use that bar of soap, light that candle, and next Tuesday I expect you to drink that bottle of wine that you've been saving. Because every moment is a special occasion.'
So tonight I say, "cheers to you, cheers to our family, and cheers to drinking that special bottle of wine on a Tuesday night." I hope you'll join me with a glass of wine as well.
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