Family Makes Everything Better

If she had been with us, she would have enjoyed every minute of it.  All of her children , and most of her siblings , along with all of her grandchildren , and some of her nieces and nephews.... All together to celebrate her life and remember her fondly.

Two of Ann's brothers:  John and Mark

Having family together was what she loved.  It was a theme that came out over and over again, in shared conversations, over food and drink.  If you just looked around her house, at any given moment during the time that we were all together, you could see what she helped to create :

Uncle Johnny and Timmy

Uncle Paul, Uncle Mark and Brian

Family enjoying one another......

Talking and remembering......

Laughing and enjoying......

Reminiscing and missing.......

Sharing and catching up......



And I guess a little of drinking and drowning (our sorrows that is)...........Just a little.

The time spent with family made everything better (and the Wii certainly helped with the kiddos).

There were a few Seattle fans in the house.   (Uncle Mark lives in Seattle.)   Needless to say, the ending of that Super Bowl game did not help with anyone's sorrows.

Ann's brothers:  Paul, Jim and Tom in front and Mark and John in back.

Lucy with her cousin Lucas and Aunt Bridget.

Cousin Michelle and her son Lucas.  And what about that photogenic dog Tucker?

Thanks to Uncle Mark for organizing this picture. 

Even though she wasn't with us physically, she was spiritually.  There was one thing that happened that proved this.  It happened in the church, the day of the funeral.

After a biting cold , very snowy , windy morning -- with no sunshine to be found -- what do you think happened right after the eulogy?   Right through the stained glass window in the front of the church? Right on the pews where all the family was sitting? 

A bright beam of sunshine poked its rays right through that window.

Bridget had just finished honoring her life , and summing up all that she was to all of us.  We hadn't seen the sun all day.  And then.....there it was.

In talking to others after the service, many noticed it.


There is no doubt in my mind that she was right there with us, smiling brightly and bringing us the warmth of her spiritual presence.   Not just that day at the church, but the entire week we were together.  What a blessing she was......and continues to be.