Family Photo Rules

My Uncle Ken had a rule about photos, particularly photos that captured the event. It could've been a holiday or a family reunion but the rule was this:

If you are not related to or married to someone in this family, please step away as we take the family photo.

The first time he ever met the husband, we were not married. My father had not seen his sisters together in decades. An aside: We don't go to many reunions and we get a lot of grief for it. My paternal grandmother's maiden name was Strange. It's a little jarring to be driving through the countryside, looking for a particular park or gathering place and watching for signs that say, "Strange Family Reunion." God does have a sense of humor.I think it was 1992. We have a photo of my father, his sisters, the husband (who was not a husband at the time) and me. My mother keeps this photo on her desk. I visit it in my mind.A few months later, my Uncle Ken came to our home and performed a wedding blessing ceremony for us. He loved us but I'm also convinced he was validating the photo.

Losing Friends

We lost a friend this week. He fought a tough battle and I tell myself that he is in a better place. Yet, I had a very candid conversation (one-sided) with God and I expressed my anger. Our friend was 53.

The oldies are 84. I wish them nothing but health and a wonderful quality of life. Yet, why did this man get 31 fewer years? He will never see his children marry. He will never know his grandchildren.

The husband and I have lost friends to everything imaginable: cancer and leukemia, heart attacks, old age, car accidents, plane crashes, and more. We've watched friends bury children, which is almost more than I can take.

I had an interesting dream last night and I choose to believe it was God speaking to me. The message was: Maybe the reason you seem to lose so many friends is because you are blessed with many friends. It wasn't a tap on the shoulder; it was a baseball bat to the head.

I woke up in a cold sweat. If possible, I will hug and say "I love you" more often than ever.

Rest in Peace, Billy Baker. I will always remember your amazing smile.