out with the old, in with the new

in the week leading up to the new year, i have both lost a great uncle and gained two new second cousins. it sounds like those branches should be far from me on the family tree, but fortunately that's not the case.

first, i want to write just a bit about my great uncle larry. i never knew my dad's dad because he passed away before i was born, but fortunately larry filled the role of grandfather for all of us in that family. he was a life-loving, caring, sweet man who i can only picture with a smile on his face. he loved to joke and usually caused more trouble than the children at any family event. he loved the broncos, vegas, vanna white and above all, family. he always attended (or crashed) every wedding, graduation, funeral, reunion... and even accompanied both my brother and i on trips to vegas for our birthdays. i have always told myself that i want to be like larry when i grow up, but that phrase is inaccurate because even in his 80s larry never grew up--he laughed and enjoyed life like a child, and that's what made him so wonderful. there's no doubt he will be greatly missed, but i can't keep from picturing the happy reunion that greeted him in heaven. he's with some great company and i know they're all still with us always.

second, i want to greet the twin daughters of my good cousin lori who joined us on this earth today. i can't wait to meet them! in my mind, there are few people better suited to mother two twin girls than lori and her (not twin sister, but might as well be) jill. the wonderful relationship those two have is something i have always admired and tried to learn from. they're such a smart, fun, beautiful, loving family and it will be so exciting to watch the twins grow up.

i just couldn't help but notice how perfectly the circle of life was illustrated with these timely events.