THE CHAOS OF FAMILIES

We spent last weekend in the downriver Detroit area with Deb’s side of our family. It was wonderful to reconnect. Her family is scattered around the globe so it was great treat to be able to visit with her parents and three of five siblings. 

Throughout the weekend we were constantly reminded of how interesting and complex families are. 

Deb’s Mom and Dad are doing well as they recuperate from some serious health issues. They are able to manage their house and keep a large and beautiful garden. Deb’s Dad is planning a reunion with Navy buddies this September in Charleston, SC. Deb’s Mom continues her faithful volunteer work with the local hospital. It was inspiring to attend worship with them at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and experience vital and lively worship in a traditional setting spiced with contemporary components. We even took home vegetables grown in the church garden.

Deb’s sister Natalie is a teacher in Doha, Qatar and is home for a summer visit. As a reading specialist her skills are in high demand. She is contemplating where the next few years might take her – an exciting prospect tempered by concerns about health issues.

Deb’s sister Becky lives in Huntington Woods, MI with her husband and two sons and they were able to get away from their busy lives to spend quality time with us. Paul has just changed jobs and was flying off to Shanghai as part of his responsibilities. They have two children, Joe and Ben, both terrific young men. We celebrated Joe’s twelfth birthday and acknowledged the fact that life will be changing drastically for him (and them) as he matures into adulthood.  Their house is being remodeled and so the weekend at the hotel was a relief as it offered a most precious commodity – hot showers!

Deb’s sister Ann was also there. Ann and her husband, Keith, are going through a terrible time as 19-year-old son Kurtis has been battling cancer for three years and is now under hospice care.  Becky’s Facebook post sums it up:

We need lots of positive energy and courageous thoughts sent to my sister Ann, her husband Keith and his son Kurtis; his cancer is devastating. Their need for strength is growing.

The weekend was a snapshot of what families do when they gather. We laugh and we cry. We celebrate and support. We remember and look into the future. We enjoy just being together.

We are blessed to be part of it all. Families make us who we are. They allow us to become who God intends us to be.