Thanksgiving and a Funeral

What's in a family?  To me a family are those that are given and those that are chosen.  I was given the most amazing family that I love, although they do make me insane a lot!  My mom is one of those people that people just want to be around, and she has made our family a welcoming place for all...even some I want to give back.  :)

We just got home from Thanksgiving and a Funeral.  My grandfather lives in Alabama and we go there for Thanksgiving.  (I skip out sometimes bc the trip is FOREVER) This is probably our last Thanksgiving with Grump.  His body is giving up.  Today we went to the funeral of my mom's uncle, my grandfather's brother-in-law, Edsel.  I think I met him twice, but while sitting in his funeral today I realized I would soon be sitting here for my grandfather and I hate that.  The minister today said something that made a impact on me... (well 2 things)

1.  He is absent on earth, but present with the Father.

Oh to be present with our Father!!!

2.  In this family, you loose the "in law" status real quick and you are just family.

That is so true of the Frenches!  I used to think it was only from my grandmother, but my grandfather's family is that way too...and so is my mom.

So this Thanksgiving held some precious memories for me.  I said good bye to my Grumpster this morning.  He held my hand and said he loved me.  That is a memory I will treasure always.  I pray you stored up some precious memories too and that you are part of a family that looses the in law status!