For much of our nation, this weekend ushers students out of school and into summer. Right now, America is grilling a lot of meat. We’re placing flowers and flags on gravestones and honoring sacrifice. There is much splashing around.
For me personally and for my family (both nuclear and extended), this new season isn’t just about the weather and vacation. This is a time of change.
For some, it’s a change for the better. We’re living life healthier, adding in exercise and better eating habits and subtracting pounds. We’re finding love and success, peace in our hearts and understanding of others. We’re meeting goals and finishing projects.
For others, the changes come with some degree of worry. Will this treatment work? Where will I be going next? Can my family stay together? Will I have a job? Are my children going to be ok?
I watch us all struggle with what’s in front of us right now. Maybe it looks like too much. Maybe it looks like it’s too far. Maybe it’s large and looming and terrifying.
But our fears can’t matter. Our fears can’t stop us from moving forward.
***
We are a pair of brothers who met beautiful women, married them, and were fruitful with children. We are the grandchildren from those children, raised in close proximity, cousins like sisters and brothers.
We are the great-grandchildren, the oldest about to drive a car for the first time and the youngest not much past taking first steps. We are the men and women tough (or crazy) enough to survive marrying into the ranks, bringing blessings that abound, offering new perspectives, weaving tighter and more richly colored our family tapestry.
There are so many of us: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, siblings, spouses, cousins and children. We are 21 of us on one side and at least as many on the other. We’ve grown up close, and stayed in touch. We’ve disagreed and fought but there isn’t a single person in this clan who wouldn’t drop everything to help if another one called out in need.
***
Dear family, I pray every night before I go to sleep for the four generations of us here, and for the ones to come. I pray “Keep us whole and safe and healthy and happy. Keep us together.”
Whatever you’re facing right now, in this season, I want you to know that I love you. I’m proud of you. I miss you. And I’ll see you soon.
Love,
Julie
This is cool, Julie. I felt kind of emotional reading it, in part due to the meaning of it all, but mostly because I think your words were really graceful here. Totally worthy of reading aloud.
Thanks, Jen. I figured it was the easiest way to tell them all at once how I felt. (And also to find out who isn’t reading my blog. MUAHAHAH.)
Ooh, SMART!
And again you touch my heart and make me proud…proud to be a part of this family (this WHOLE family), proud to be your aunt, and proud of who you are. I can’t wait to see you. Be safe and I’ll see you soon.
It was great to Facetime with you today! I’m glad you could join us in the back yard. Looking forward to our adventures soon.
Beautiful.
Never forget to say “I love you!” Xxx
Don’t want to miss a chance!
So if we leave a comment does it mean that we cared enough to read it??
Haha, I know a bunch of people read and don’t leave comments. I was kidding.
Is that your way of saying you love me too, turd sniffer?
I think the challenges are what makes a family the strongest if they’re going to be strong. Yours is.
I am proud to be from strong, stubborn stock, that’s for sure! I’m also proud of my family’s ability to adapt. I think it’s what keeps us growing instead of stagnating.
Sweet, sweet post. I hope you get to spend more time with your family really soon. You have such a close bond and I realize the importance of it more and more.
I am looking forward to lots of time with them soon!
You made me think of my own roots. And all of my amazing family. Love your words and the emotions you conjured here…
So I read this post on Monday morning with my entire family around and was choked up and unable to effectively comment at the time.
Then we had multiple families over (you know, for the grilling of meat and such) and I had some wine and told everyone repeatedly how much I love them.
All day long.
Now, I’m returning, days later, to thank you.
Very much.
And I’m glad I didn’t comment back on Monday because I wouldn’t have been able to share with you how much your words really meant to me. And to all the people I slobbered over that day.
I know they appreciated it.
I just do.
Interesting….we pray the same prayer….
Beautiful post Julie, really quite moving and breathtaking.
Beautiful Letter!