This last week has brought some sadness in to the family. The matriarch, an aunt, on my side of the family passed away. She was in her seventies and in failing health from cancer. I didn't get to see her a lot because she lived along way off, but talked to her on an occasion. She and my uncle (who has been gone for about 10 years) never had a lot but always seemed up beat and positive. You know - people that you liked being around.
Gloria and I had the fortune to visit her last Sunday for a short time. When we got up to leave, she said something that I'll never forget, "I'm glad that I married into the Paschal family."
Our family is probably a lot like yours. We love each other, but sometimes fuss, gripe, argue etc. with each other. But, through it all there is still love. If we don't watch out, we can let that negative stuff over influence our lives. The good things that we have with us, love, support, patience with each other, etc. FAR out weigh the other stuff.
Although there may never be a person of fame, power, or influence to the masses, in my family, we influence each other to be a little better than we would ever be if alone. So, I can say that I'm glad that I'm a Paschal too.
For those of you who are reading this, I encourage you to look at the good things in your family. Learn to forgive and forget, to over look a lot of those things that you think aren't right. They most likely won't be important in a week or so any way.
Enjoy your spring.
