I have had this to post for a while now...and lost it....it came back from cyber land, so I wanted to post it! Above is Ron and my cousin John...Pittsburgh Penguin hockey fans!!! And...more importantly....family!
Me and my mom's oldest sister, Aunt Marilyn...she reminds me so much of my grandmother!
My dear friend, Dawn...who happens to be my cousin Kim's cousin...multiple blessings!
My cousin Kathy, me and Kim
Oh, how this girl makes me laugh!!!!!
We have a large extended family on both sides. Lots of birthdays! We enjoyed celebrating my brother-in-law, Tommy's 30th birthday over the weekend. Yesterday, was my cousin Kim's birthday....so the kids and I headed over to see her last night.
Kim is married to my cousin, John. She and I have been close and have grown so much closer over the years...she is so special to us! All the kids enjoy being together, as well. Ron and John have a close relationship, too, going to a men's bible study every week, watching hockey and enjoying the same music and concerts. We are so blessed to have close family!
Kim has had a rough couple of years, recently, with a rare auto-immune illness that has required her to be on multiple drugs, chemo which made her so sick and made her lose her hair...and has seriously caused us to think we may lose her numerous times....and has caused us to value family even more.
Kim laughs....and makes others laugh as well. And, she laughs at herself more than anyone! She has taught me so many things about trusting God thru illness and pain....thru laughing through the pain and exhaustion because...(as she says) what else can you do?! To value my husband and children more than anything outside of our home...activities, commitees, commitments....nothing and no one is more important than family...starting in my own home.
We are having a sad time right now....along with the tragedy with the police officers, we've had news over the weekend, that our much loved Great Aunt and Uncle are not doing well...his Altzeimers is so bad, that he is now in a facility, and could go at any time....his wife, my Aunt Helen, is lost without the love of her life...they have been married for over 65 years, and other than when he was in Africa during WW2, they've rarely been separated.....it's breaking our hearts. They have been such an incredible example to us of a selfless, loving marriage.
With all the illnesses, and sadness...we feel the need to celebrate family even more right now....to be together...to simply spend time together making memories...and I thank God for the opportunities to do that.
So....Happy Birthday to....Tommy, Kim, Elizabeth, Michael Patrick, Rhonda and Pammy.....all of our dear family (and special friend).....who has a birthday this week! We are priviledged to be able to celebrate your lives...and how special you are to us!!!!
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