Family

How great it was to reunite with family members this past weekend! My father's side of the family, the Wards, had their first grand reunion in quite a long time. What set it apart from other reunions was the fact that it was not the occasion of a funeral this time.

It was wonderful and relaxing to re-connect with each other and reminisce in the happy aftermath of a 50th high school reunion that brought a few cousins to town at the same time. It provided the perfect opportunity to get our younger cousins, some who had never met, into a common area to enjoy a meal, in true family-reunion style.

I regret that I didn't stay longer, as it would have taken many hours to catch up properly on all our lives. But was thankful my daughter's family accompanied me and was able to meet cousins they might otherwise never have been able to meet. Those of us who needed to visit the most were unfortunately also those who tired the easiest, cutting our visit short.

Having lost my parents and a spouse makes it seem even more of a treasure to spend time with loved ones, every chance I get. I will treasure and look forward to meeting many family members in heaven, where time will not be a factor. We will have an eternity to get to know more about each other and be comforted in the immediate presence of our Lord and Savior.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God [at the Second Coming]. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV

I call this a blessed hope...don't you?

That little toddler boy on the right was my father!