The 'Brady Bunch'

What you're looking at is a first..... the first photo of all seven of us 'kids' from the union of Mom and Dad over 28 years ago. We were the scruffy version of 'The Brady Bunch' and we gave 'Carol and Mike' fodder for many of those 'in the bed' conversations. We haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but with struggles and strife in life, come lessons of wisdom and acceptance. The coming together started five years ago when Mom passed away. This week brought us even closer together. To appreciate the poignancy of this photo, you'd need to understand that between some, there has been over five years of no communication. That we were all able to put aside our qualms yesterday at our dad's funeral and come together for a photo, and actually SMILE is a testament to each one!

The memorial service was the best with touching memories of my dad shared with such a great gathering of friends and family. There were many laughs, probably a few more tears and even more gracious, a coming together of people that I might not have believed had I not seen it with my own eyes. Definitely, a hand of grace was over us.

Yes, even in death...there is beauty and grace.