Family Ties

Recently, I spent a weekend in Waco visiting my family-Mom, both sisters, nieces, nephews, inlaws, and all the offspring they have produced--and what a magnificent weekend it was. It was wonderful seeing everyone. There were almost 25 of us at dinner Saturday night. I reminded Mom, in the middle of the melee, that she was primarily responsible for ALL of it!

What a fine heritage Mom has created for herself! All three of her children were there, along with most of her grandchildren and six of her great grandchildren. It was the closest thing to a family reunion we've had since the McQuade girls and their families got together in Pipe Creek, Texas back in 2003.

It was such a treat to be nestled in the warm and comforting confines of my older sister's home, surrounded by several generations of family. There is such a bond among us all that bridges the generational divides of a family ranging in ages from six weeks to 89 years old. I have no less affinity for the most distant kin in this group than for those living in my very own household. Who could create such intergenerational love and affection but the Creator of us all?

My daughter, who is pregnant with her first child, actually suggested the trip, wanting to take a video camera and record Mom telling about growing up as part of the McQuade family. We actually filled an entire video cassette with Mom's meanderings, and are saving it for posterity and a reminder to future generations of where they came from. I sat through the entire taping session and was intrigued by all that I heard, only a small portion of which I'd heard before. Mom was the second oldest of five sisters, so you can imagine what kinds of tales she told. My sisters and I have been after Mom for years to write down all the funny and intriguing things she's shared with us over the years. Perhaps this will be the catalyst needed to start such a process.

In Mom's defense (as if she needed one!), she has been writing down many of her life stories to submit for publication. Already a published author, it would be incredible if she could publish some of her stories for others to read as well. I will post her stories here as they become available.

Postscript: Mom went to be with Jesus early on Resurrection morning in 2007. We drove the hour and a half to Waco to Mom's nursing home to be with my sisters and other family members. When we got to Mom's room, she was still laying in her bed with her hand over her heart, a smile on her face, and her eyes wide open, looking upward. I believe that before her life slipped from her, she had seen the face of Jesus! On what better day and in what better way could a believer expect to meet Jesus than on Resurrection morning in peaceful slumber, smiling, and looking directly into the face of Jesus?