Family

The day after we got back from Europe, my grandmother died.
My dad's mom had been living in a nursing home for a few years now. Luckily, I was able to make frequent visits with the kids to see her. Both boys enjoyed seeing the fish in the tanks and playing bingo. I enjoyed spending time with my lonely grandma.
She lived to be 89 years old and produced seven children, fourteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandsons.
Her funeral was fitting and beautiful. My father and mother both wrote reflections and spoke them at the services. Trenton has asked to go back and visit her grave, to put flowers on the gravestone. We'll do it soon.
The pictures here are from a birthday/graduation party that was scheduled for this past weekend. We celebrated the birthday of Evan and the high school graduations of Cassie and Kyle together with a big party, just like the Lacinas always have. It was calming to be able to have family to talk to in a casual setting before having to grieve together formally the following two days.


My dad's mother was my last surviving grandparent. I feel blessed to have known her for so long and to be a part of her dynamic family.