Family

I have always been a big family person. I love being around family, immediate and extended. I have a very strong pull to my ancestors and roots. I want my kids to feel this belonging to a 'family' also. Last weekend my Uncle Richard died. I had not seen him since my grandmother's funeral in 2000 and that saddens me. But I have a wealth of happy childhood memories spent at his house and at family reunions in WV. I needed to take the trip to WV to be there for his funeral and pay my respects to a man that had spent his entire life in the coal mines and mountains of WV.

West Virginia is a special place. There are many places I haven't been, but I feel it's safe to say that there is no place on Earth like WV. Almost Heaven indeed. The mountains are beautiful. The crisp air is refreshing. It's just a different time and place in Iaeger, WV. A simpler time. People still sit and visit on their front porches. The outpouring of love for my uncle was unbelievable. I have never seen so many flowers and gifts sent for a funeral. This is not only a testament to how loved he was, and he truly was, but also to the sense of community felt in this small town. People take care of each other there. It was inspiring.

It was also good to see all my cousins, Richard's sons, and their families. Of course, it wasn't a happy reunion, as their dear father had just passed and they were grieving. But seeing people in person provides a much closer connection than just seeing them in pictures. I was glad to make that reconnection with them, no matter how brief. As silly as it may sound, since we played together as kids and we're family, but I was glad to know that they recognized me and I them... for the most part. Sorry Gary. :) And my aunts and uncles, I was so glad to see them. I enjoy sitting around talking with them. It's like I'm a kid again and we're sitting in Granny's living room just visiting...adults talking, kids listening. My kids need to learn that art. :P I was glad my kids got to meet these aunts and uncles, as they have been such a special part of my life. I remember being afraid/intimidated by my Uncle Jack when I was a shy, timid little girl and he was a big man, with a deep, gruff voice. And true to form, the first thing he said to my boys upon seeing them was, "What are you doing here?! Who told you you could come in here?" LOL When they answered, "My mom," he quickly informed them, "Your mom doesn't run this place." LOL Of course, my boys were mostly unfazed and after a quick glance at me to search for safety, they started wrestling around with him. I was glad. Because, while I was scared as a little girl, I soon realized that Jack was someone to listen to and learn from. He is an amiable man of great character, someone I want my boys to know. Someone I want them to learn from, not just wisdom of the world, but also that they are a part of a bigger picture. They are a part of a family, a family of great men that they should aspire to be like. All of my uncles are men of great character...Doug, Jack, Richard, and Larry. I never met my Uncle Bob, but I'm sure he was a great man, too. My kids will only ever get to meet 3 of these men, but I hope that they will remember them and learn from them and aspire to be like them. Another 'uncle' that we got to spend time with these last 2 days was my Aunt's boyfriend Skip. Skip spent a lot of time with the boys and I'm glad he did. He is another wonderful example to the boys of how to be a good man. Good sturdy role models in a young man's life are priceless. Don't get me wrong, Charles is a superb father and role model for the boys. But the more examples of good strong men a boy can be around, the better. I am so glad we got to spend time with my mom's sisters as well. My Aunt Nancy and Aunt Betty are wonderful mothers and grandmothers and pour love onto my children anytime they're around them. A child can never be loved by too many people. A child can never have too much family. It is good for a person's soul to know that they have roots.

Me and Jack

Learning about Buckeyes

Aunts and Uncles...Family

I am glad they got to experience WV, even in the limited time we had there, as that is where we're from. Even though I have never lived in WV, it is 'where we're from'. It is a beautiful state, but more than that, it's where family is. Even though a lot of our family no longer live in WV, when we convene there it is just home. I hope to go back for our next true reunion, when I can visit more and the kids can play and meet their cousins.

Almost Heaven...West Virginia

Coaling Tower at Auville Yard, named after my great grandfather


For now, I say to Richard's wife, kids, and grandkids, I love you. My prayers are with you. I don't pretend to know you're grief, but you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this period of loss.