Again, bits and pieces.

The childhood of my memories is full of many people, my own family with what, at the time seemed like a zillion cousins and aunts and uncles, grandma and grandpa,  all swarming around as we celebrated holidays, summers, birthday or just another Sunday dinner.  There was lots of food, fun and crazy antics every single time this group got together.  The older I get, the more I look back on those memories, remembering what was a simpler time, I think.
As life does, again, we've lost a special person from that time, a big man in our eyes, an uncle, Tom Tucker.  With a name like that, how could anyone ever forget him.  This weekend we gathered to pay our respects, offer up prayers, share stories, remembering his impact on each of us in our own special way.  And it was fitting when we all lifted our glasses and toasted his memory, vowing to remember all the good times we have had.
Also fitting, I feel, was another celebration this weekend, a birth, a brand new baby came into our family, a special niece gave us a shining gift to celebrate.  A beautiful baby girl to add to our family memories.    Again tying our hearts up with love, showing that life circle that keeps turning whether we are ready or not.
So as we said good by to Uncle Tommy, we also opened our hearts to welcome baby Reese.  Life does march on, dropping bits and pieces all around us.

Little Pieces of My Heart

Its inevitable, life changes, life marches on, people come and people go, loved ones pass away and new loves enter into our lives. Knowing all of this does not make it any easier.
Yesterday, our family lost yet another member, a sweet Aunt joins the list of family members lost.   Aunt Bernice was so intricately woven into my growing up years, I spent many days visiting,  sharing a very special time with my cousin Cindy and being totally welcomed by Aunt Bernice and Uncle Verlon whenever I was there.  Many fond memories of her famous Banana Cream pie (a personal favorite!), chicken and dumplings from scratch, home grown green beans that cooked all day long, scrunching up my nose as I watched them make Head Cheese and other concoctions never even seen before.  I marveled (being very young at the time) at how she "made" home grown corn by cutting it off the cob.  I never knew.  There was always something good to eat, no matter what time of the day or night it was.  My memories around that kitchen table clearly made a lasting impression on me through the years.  Slowly our family is changing, those lost are never ever forgotten.  As they leave us here on earth, little pieces of our heart go with them.  Know that they are loved.
And so as I take time to say some prayers for her and all of her family, some how I've got a hankering for some chicken and dumplings and banana cream pie.  I love you Aunt Bernice and always will.