Birthdays-
This is a busy month in my family. We celebrate 3 birthdays- Ed ( my eldest brother), Mom, and Becky (my youngest sis). Generally, we try to coordinate all 3 into a one day celebration. Mom however, has gotten more difficult over the years to pin down for the day since she tends to avoid her birthday. So this year we got a bit sneaky and had some of the family just "show up" at our house to celebrate hers. We had told mom we needed her to watch Seth for a few hours while we went out to a show, knowing she wouldn't want to pass up the opportunity for Keith and I to have a "date nite" and to spend time with Seth. We kept it simple with just a reeses peanut butter ice cream cake, that I have to say DQ did an absolute great job on, it got devoured. Later in the month was a party for Ed and Becky's out at the Wade Manor in Roy. Sounds like the whole family was there and had a great time.
This is a busy month in my family. We celebrate 3 birthdays- Ed ( my eldest brother), Mom, and Becky (my youngest sis). Generally, we try to coordinate all 3 into a one day celebration. Mom however, has gotten more difficult over the years to pin down for the day since she tends to avoid her birthday. So this year we got a bit sneaky and had some of the family just "show up" at our house to celebrate hers. We had told mom we needed her to watch Seth for a few hours while we went out to a show, knowing she wouldn't want to pass up the opportunity for Keith and I to have a "date nite" and to spend time with Seth. We kept it simple with just a reeses peanut butter ice cream cake, that I have to say DQ did an absolute great job on, it got devoured. Later in the month was a party for Ed and Becky's out at the Wade Manor in Roy. Sounds like the whole family was there and had a great time.
That very day, Keith and I were attending a funeral for a friend.
McGrath Family-
Keith has known the McGrath family for quite a few years. In fact they've basically dubbed him their sixth child. I was introduced to the McGrath Clan- Bob, Maurecia, Sarah, Josh, Jody, Rachael, and Casey while Keith and I were dating. Basically, if Maurecia (their mom) approved of me, Keith had her blessing. ha ha ha. I instantly loved the McGrath clan, who couldn't? They reminded me so much of my own family with their stories, sarcasm, and constant "ribbing" of one another. Oh and the food Maurecia can cook. She cooks meals like my mom, enough to "feed and Army". You'd pretty much need to with five kids. And baking? She bakes cookies that would put both Mrs. Fields and Martha Stewart to shame. I would see Bob here and there over the years due to our opposite schedules. Well actually Bob's schedule was pretty much opposite of anyone's- he worked the graveyard shift at the Postal Center on Air Cargo Road. Pretty much anytime we were visiting, Bob was heading out for work. I can say this now....Bob and I had the hardest time remembering each other's name. It was funny really, we'd be having a conversation and we'd look at one another like we were trying to recall and couldn't. I remember one time I was dropping off Maurecia's Tupperware that we had borrowed. Bob accepted the Tupperware when he answered the door and said "Jennifer right?" and I said "Yes, Bob?" and we both laughed really good at that one. I will always remember Bob with his ruddy little cheeks and the way he'd laugh anytime one of his kids said something funny....it was always as if he'd never heard anything so funny in all his life.
As I sat in the pew that day Saturday, February 27Th and listened to each of the readings his children had prepared, I cried for so many different reasons- for Maurecia and the loss of her husband, for the kids and the loss of their dad, for his relatives, and that thing we so often try so hard not to think about- death. It's so scary. Funerals are a celebration of the life that has passed and for those that live on. They tend to give us a sudden "reality" check if you will and remind you of what's important and how fragile life really is. Some things that kept being said that day were to appreciate what you have, tell those you love- you love them, and enjoy each day you have. Oddly enough- I heard that song on the radio later that day...I don't know the title or artist but it's lyrics are something like "we've got to live like we're dying". I heard the word "proud" used so many times that day. They have so much adoration for their dad. I truly know how they feel. I cried as I thought of my own family and how much I dearly love each one of them, how blessed I am to be part of their lives and families like the McGrath's, and then for my own extended family Keith and Seth.....Life is Truly Good! We'll miss you Bob!
McGrath Family-
Keith has known the McGrath family for quite a few years. In fact they've basically dubbed him their sixth child. I was introduced to the McGrath Clan- Bob, Maurecia, Sarah, Josh, Jody, Rachael, and Casey while Keith and I were dating. Basically, if Maurecia (their mom) approved of me, Keith had her blessing. ha ha ha. I instantly loved the McGrath clan, who couldn't? They reminded me so much of my own family with their stories, sarcasm, and constant "ribbing" of one another. Oh and the food Maurecia can cook. She cooks meals like my mom, enough to "feed and Army". You'd pretty much need to with five kids. And baking? She bakes cookies that would put both Mrs. Fields and Martha Stewart to shame. I would see Bob here and there over the years due to our opposite schedules. Well actually Bob's schedule was pretty much opposite of anyone's- he worked the graveyard shift at the Postal Center on Air Cargo Road. Pretty much anytime we were visiting, Bob was heading out for work. I can say this now....Bob and I had the hardest time remembering each other's name. It was funny really, we'd be having a conversation and we'd look at one another like we were trying to recall and couldn't. I remember one time I was dropping off Maurecia's Tupperware that we had borrowed. Bob accepted the Tupperware when he answered the door and said "Jennifer right?" and I said "Yes, Bob?" and we both laughed really good at that one. I will always remember Bob with his ruddy little cheeks and the way he'd laugh anytime one of his kids said something funny....it was always as if he'd never heard anything so funny in all his life.
As I sat in the pew that day Saturday, February 27Th and listened to each of the readings his children had prepared, I cried for so many different reasons- for Maurecia and the loss of her husband, for the kids and the loss of their dad, for his relatives, and that thing we so often try so hard not to think about- death. It's so scary. Funerals are a celebration of the life that has passed and for those that live on. They tend to give us a sudden "reality" check if you will and remind you of what's important and how fragile life really is. Some things that kept being said that day were to appreciate what you have, tell those you love- you love them, and enjoy each day you have. Oddly enough- I heard that song on the radio later that day...I don't know the title or artist but it's lyrics are something like "we've got to live like we're dying". I heard the word "proud" used so many times that day. They have so much adoration for their dad. I truly know how they feel. I cried as I thought of my own family and how much I dearly love each one of them, how blessed I am to be part of their lives and families like the McGrath's, and then for my own extended family Keith and Seth.....Life is Truly Good! We'll miss you Bob!
