Relatives

Since my last posting about losing a parent, my uncle from my dad's side of the family passed away over the weekend and I attended his funeral yesterday. Weddings and funerals are the times when we catch up with relatives that we haven't seen in years. I am grateful I was able to attend my uncle's funeral and see my cousins that I haven't seen for years. I can't even remember the last time I saw them. Some of my greatest memories from my childhood are the ones spent with my cousins.

As I read my uncle's obituary, it struck me that I hadn't realized I had seven cousins. Granted I was younger than most of them so only remember two of the girl cousins. Seeing everyone again after so many years, I would not have recognized any of them, but maybe one if it were in a different setting. Thank goodness for my mom being there with me to introduce me to everyone.

Then come to find out I had an impact on one of my cousins to look at adoption. I don't remember this cousin either, but what a wonderful blessing to know that I had this influence. He was no longer eligible to adopt from Korea, but still pursued adopting a girl from China. This little girl is now 4 years old and cute as can be.

On the drive home, my mom was able to clear up the happenings that occurred with each of my uncles. One uncle I have never met as he chose to close himself off from all family years ago. These life stories sounded like soap operas, but in the end, my uncle that passed away did find happiness and lived his life to the fullest. I'm blessed to know I talked to him a few weeks ago when he called me out of the blue just to say hi to me.

Another thing that struck me as I was at the funeral, my uncle looked so much like my father. I thought this when he attended my dad's funeral so many years ago. Then to see pictures of him in the program, he and my father looked amazingly alike. I couldn't 't help but be stunned by the similarities. Seeing the pictures really made me miss my father even more, but what great memories I have of him and now my uncle.

We all lose touch with our relatives until a wedding or a funeral. We all need to appreciate family more. I wish life wasn't so busy for everyone and we could all get together more often.