Sometimes we need to realize that our

parents weren't perfect. Two different

personalities meet, unite and have a

family. It's a learn as you go process.

I don't believe that our parents were

ready for all of the responsibilities of

parenthood. Looking back, I do believe

that they tried their best. Their marriage

wasn't good, their dreams weren't always

focused. They were new at raising a family

and didn't always do the right thing, we

have all gone through that. Some learned

how and others made mistakes.Our parents

did their best as did we. The important

thing is that they loved us in their own

way. I can see them now, Dad in trousers,

shirt and a tie with a Windsor knot and

Mom in a housedress and dish-towel in

her hand. It was the time for fixing things.

A curtain rod, our swings in the backyard,

the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven

door, the hem in a dress or our favorite

toy. Things we keep.They taught us to

keep our family close and to give from our

hearts. Although they were not always

demonstrative with their love, they gave us

valuable lessons on loving and caring. It

was a different time, but in some ways still

the same. We are who we are today

because of them and sometimes even in

spite of them. In either event, we owe them

the thank you.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made

me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating,

renewing, I wanted just once to be

wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing

things away meant you knew there'd

always be more. Unfortunately, family also

became disposable to an extent.

But then our parents died. Dad some years

ago, but his lessons of family, caring and

sharing from the heart lived on. Then last

Spring Mom passed and I was struck with

the pain of learning that sometimes there

isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets

all used up and goes away...never to

return. So... While we have it... it's best we

love it... And care for it.... And fix it when

it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true...For family.... For marriage....

And old cars.... And children with bad

report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad

hips.... And aging parents.... And

grandparents. We keep them because

they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep. Like our brothers

and sisters, a best friend that moved away

or a classmate we grew up with. Strange

that it isn't always our brothers and sisters

that are put at the top of that list (where

they should be). There are just some things

that make life important, like people we

know who are special....And so, we must

keep them close!

I would like to share this with all of my

brothers and sisters, but it is unfortunate

that I only have the addresses for one

brother and one sister. So both are getting

this in an email.

Family and good friends are like stars....

You don't always see them, but you know

they are always there. I only wish that my

family could see that even though we all

have good friends that care about us, our

friends are not bound to us by blood. We

have that special bond. How did it become

damaged or broken? Families should love,

unconditionally. That was the lesson our

parents tried to teach us. We need to

open our hearts to share the love that our

parents instilled within us while we are

able to accept and to return it. Once any

of us draws our last breath....it is too late.

To my 4 brothers and 2 sisters....I am

hoping that somehow each of you gets to

read this. I also hope that it will touch each

of your hearts with the love I have for you.

I write this because I love you and because

I honor our parents..................