Family

 This week of Thanksgiving has been all about family. My parents put on a fantastic day, full of excellent food and lots of family. This year has seen sadness, blessings, and miracles.

 

Earlier this year my Aunt Debbie lost her husband, David, to cancer. He was a good man and he will be missed.  My aunt Debbie is amazing. Though she's lost her love, she's still smiling and moving forward. 

 This year I was able to go through the temple. It was an amazing experience to be there with my family and friends. To feel the love and support from all those who came and to make sacred covenants with Heavenly Father is a tremendous blessing.

 

 My Uncle Pat has mesothelioma in his lungs making it very hard to breath. He also has congestive heart failure, and has had many operations. This October he contracted a virus that made it all but impossible for him to breath. He was in the hospital and family was called in to say their goodbyes. He was intubated and not expected to be taken off. Uncle Pat was sedated for several days, but he was hanging in there. They finally took him off the sedation and he was conscious enough to tell the doctors to take him off intubation. The doctors made it clear that if they did that he would die, as there was no way he would be able to get enough oxygen into his body to survive. Fast forward to Thanksgiving day, when my Uncle Pat is eating Thanksgiving dinner with us, without using an oxygen tank. What a miracle.

 

Through all the sadness, blessings, and miracles we are family and we are always here to love and support our family. That is what life is about. Family, friends, and making memories with those we love.