This past week we celebrated a birthday and and a passing. Boo turned 17 on Monday. It is hard to believe that she is 17. Boo is becoming so independent, she has a job and a car and while she loves her family she is discovering the fun of having her own money and the ability to go out with her friends without having to beg Mom and Dad for money. I miss my little girl but I am so proud to see the wonderful woman that she is becoming. We spent some time today with all of D's family it is interesting to see how our dynamic is changing. Having the oldest youngest kids we have a different perspective than most of the others. While they still have babies and small kids we are not many years away from an empty nest. Having some of the oldest grandkids I see Boo holding her infant cousins and I see a glimpse into the future with her kids (hopefully a good many years away yet)
Now for the passing and the reason we were all together today. D's Grandpa Mark passed away on Boo's birthday. He was 91 years old and was quite a firecracker. We knew he was ill and failing and unfortunately did not make it to see him before he passed. Today was his funeral and while he had lived a full life it was still a sad passing. It was a strange gathering as the family dynamic with that side of the family is challenging. D's Grandpa divorced his wife many years ago and then remarried a wonderful lady that D calls Grandma. They both brought children into the marriage but many were older and I do not think that there was a lot of bonding that was done between the families. D's mom was very hurt in the divorce her relationship with her father was strained so as a kid D did not really have much to do with many of the cousins on that side of the family. He did see his grandpa and He and I have tried to visit them as often as we could as they were such an incredible couple that truly loved all of their grandkids and family.
I had met only a couple of D's uncles and aunts before and only a few of the cousins. Grandpa Mark left quite a legacy with 60+ grandkids, 96 great-grandkids and even some great-great grandkids and he and Grandma Reva were married for over 50 years. I hope D and I can be as happy as they were when we get to be their age. We will miss his humor and his wonderful stories and sitting in his backyard watching the hummingbirds.
One of the neatest things at his funeral was the American Legion Color Guard who came to honor Grandpa. Grandpa served in the Navy during World War II and so he was given the military funeral with the flag ceremony, the shooting of the guns and the playing of Taps. It was such a emotional experience to watch and to know that he was a hero for our county and a great man. Grandpa Mark we will miss you and Grandma Reva know that we all love you and are sending you comfort in this sad time of mourning for Grandpa.
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