family reunion

Many of us will be heading to Harrison, MI tomorrow for the 2nd annual family gathering for the 4th of July since my parents have passed. I have Aunts and Uncles, and cousins coming in from Atlanta and Texas and I am thrilled we are taking the time and making the effort to be together as a family. I have spent every 4th of July as a child in Harrison.......fireworks at Wilson State park, pie eating contests hosted by Mom at Cranberry lake clubhouse, ice cream at Walravens, and bon-fires at night with fireworks, sparklers and s'mores. I took a few Holidays off as I went away to college, moved around for a few years, but I have so many remembered there and one that stands in my mind was about 5 years ago...some of our close friends, Ted's family and my parents all spent the 4th of July together at the lake....it was the perfect weekend. We went swimming in the lake, danced in the kitchen, ate on the deck, Dad cooked us all breakfast. It was the quintessential 4th of July weekend.............I will cherish those days for the rest of my life and thankful Ted's family & our friends got to experience these memories with our family.

My heart will ache this weekend.....it's tough to walk in. I try my best to block it- but the smell when I walk in instantly reminds me of them- where are they I ask? It will hurt when I see Aydan running around, fishing, collecting sticks and witnessing Elle running around on the sand, having my parents friends and family stop by to see her, it will be hard knowing how badly my parents would want to be here for this. They would love nothing more then to have their grandchildren, family- all of their siblings, and friends at their place for a big dinner. So, Chris and I along with the help of Ted and Matt will host a festive 4th of July celebration..........we'll do a toast, we'll take some family photos on the new dock for Mom and Dad, we'll eat, drink and do our best to cherish the time together. Many of us will have heavy hearts. I know it's not easy for others to be there as well. It's very strange to see their things, their decorations and pictures, and collectibles all throughout the house. Nothing has been changed. And yes, the Christmas lights are still hanging in the living room. We can't take them down. We can't move Dad's crossword puzzle he worked on last or Mom's book she was reading.

We will miss them dearly. Please watch down as your children and grandchildren enjoy our childhood place of Harrison, MI. It's so very strange to attend these weekends without our Mom and Dad. They were the hosts, they were the entertainers....they were the coordinators of planning these weekends now we have been given no other choice then to take over. It breaks my heart. We're still kids.......I think of my Aunt and Uncle's beach house in CT....and what it would be like without them hosting their many wonderful weekends with their kids, friends and family. Parents are the glue to the family. It's hard without our parents...........but I continue to be blown away by the resiliency and courage our family has shown through these tough times.

Here's to fireworks, Aunt Lisa's strawberry pies, s'mores, pontooning with Grampa and sitting on the dock of the bay.............wasting time....

Melissa

Happy safe 4th of July.