Connecting With the Extended Family...

I called each of my brothers today, and got to talk with two of the three and one sister-in-law.  All are doing well and I get to see my younger brother, Kenn and his family for a late lunch in Indiana, PA tomorrow afternoon.  At this time of year more than any other I realize how much my mother was the "glue" that held our family together.  Although this was our 19th Christmas without her, this is the time that she either got us all together, or made sure that we all knew what each other was doing.  Mom and Dad's house at Christmas was a fun place!  Mom always had parties and invited new friends and old ones to join in the celebration.  I still remember the last Christmas party she had and there were folks younger than I was there.  I asked her, "What are THEY doing at OUR party?"  She reminded me that she had been helping the young wife learn to cook and "take care of a home," and that after all it WAS Christmas....Mom always had a way of making everyone feel welcome.  Talking with my brothers and sister-in-law today reminded me how much of her is in us even so long after she has died to this life and gone to be with the Lord.  I hear her in my brother Jim's voice.  I know that sounds funny, because it's not that he talks WITH her voice.  It's the way he says things that reminds me of her.  In my younger brother's plans to visit with some friends from Gipsy, and go to see Aunt Grace and cousin Sandy, after our lunch tomorrow is the evidence of her compassion and care for others coming through.  All of it is part of the legacy that Ruth Marshall left to us.  It's part of what makes us family, and that's a good thing!