Family...

I suppose a few of you are wondering what's happened to us since Christmas!! I can't believe how long its been since I blogged last. Unlike me I know, as this blogging thing has become an addiction! I'm sure many of you got our obnoxious Christmas newsletter so you know more about us than necessary! Five years ago when I asked Scott to help me do a Christmas letter I had no idea that his over-achiever self would turn it into a 4 page full color annual publication! If you didn't receive this riveting tale of Milder Moments Vol. 5, it's because I didn't have your address, please submit it and I'll dispatch one immediately! I know some people hate the Christmas newsletters, but I however love them. In fact, I don't like getting Christmas cards in the mail that are just signed by the sender. I at least need a picture. I guess it helps me still feel connected to those we don't see as often anymore. Even if I see you and your children weekly, I still like to see your family all together and hear about the highlights of your year. I don't know, I guess in this age of technology it's nice to receive something in the mail that ties us together as family and friends. (Ironically, as I write this I've received and email from my sweet friend Jane referring me to a friends website that is about this very thing!!! Adorable stuff, you MUST check it out...www.cometogethercards.com) I must be feeling a little nostalgic today. Understandable I guess with our recent loss.

For those of you who haven't heard, my Aunt Opal (my mom's oldest sister) passed away December 30. We were all in Oklahoma for our Rollins family Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We were staying the night is Edmond and were heading home the next day. At 6 am that morning Nick called to say that they were at Norman Regional Hospital with Opal and that it looked like just a matter of time. She'd had pneumonia recently and was having difficulty breathing. Everyone got the chance to say goodbye, but she still seemed to be fighting to hang on. My Aunt Gladys wasn't there yet and as soon as she walked in the room and told her goodbye, it wasn't five minutes until she passed away. This is the second time that I've been there when someone passes from this life to the next. I was there when my grandmother passed away as well. When it's my time to go, I want to go out just like Aunt Opal. 82 years old, surrounded by my children, grandchildren and family, peacefully slipping from this life to the next. I stood there wondering what she saw when she met Jesus and saw grandmother and grandaddy and my Uncle Henry again. Sad for all of us who will miss her, but how wonderful for her! She was an amazing woman and I am a better person for having had her as an influence in my life. So, take a moment and call those members of your family today that you hold dear and let them know you love them.

For those of you who don't know my crazy family...Opal was the oldest of the six siblings. She was 24 years older than the baby of the family, my Aunt Judy. She married before my mom was born and her daughter Barbara is just 2 years younger than my mom and 2 years older than her Aunt Judy!! I can't imagine having babies for 24 years and having a granddaughter older than one of my own kids!! Weird.

I should go now. Just wanted to let you know that I'm still here and will try to update a little more regularly now that things have settled down!

Blessings to you and your families,
Leslie