The nitty-gritty of "family values"

My readers of this page may remember that my late wife of 32 years of happily married joys passed away just six months ago this week. One does not recover from such a blow to the entire soul that soon, if ever.

Through all the defined stages of grief, I have relied upon the promise my Lord made that He would never leave me and has sent angels to minister to my soul. (Some of these angelic beings are indeed celestial --- others form the nidus of my extended family whose presence graces many communities in this country we love.) Their love for their father and the patriarch of their own children and grandchildren is unsurpassed, and it has above all sustained me so I could cope with the dark weeks and months.

Having received gratefully the solace of seeing two of my daughters at the funeral, I was able to go to California and visit with my son and his other two sisters for what turned out to be therapy which suited me to a capital "T". Just the familiar reminiscing about shared memories of happy prior doings we had all derived happiness and a deeper love for having done it together. We looked at old photographs and remembered the times and places and whatever odd or unusual characters we had met --- (or been!) We mixed tears and laughter while the soul healed. For they too had shared my love for her and her own lovely daughter who had brutally been taken from us. Suzanne, Judith, Kathy, Betsy and Tad all: thanks from this old heart. Leandra, thanks for rejoining the gang.

Most recently, I took a week-long hiatus to visit Suzanne and each and every one of her 11 grandchildren, distributing blessings and graduation presents as indicated to those who additionally make their mark every year. Can't you imagine how redeeming it is when a lovely teen-aged college student hugs the old gentleman and says, "I love you, grandpa!"

Phase III of my recovery will happen this next week in San Diego when I'll hold and welcome a new great-grandson and congratulate my own beloved son in whom I could not be more pleased. Life goes on to be more precious every year that passes, every birth and every opportunity quietly to renew the old remembered vows that forms the chain linking a family together. We'll count upon the renewal when we all will meet again and death will itself die --- at long last!