I actually wrote this and published this hub a year or so ago, but today, after a weekend of togetherness and then saying goodbye, it all holds true. Except I'm not feeling quite as recuperated as I did last time. Which is why I've come back to this place where I can make myself - and hopefully you - smile:

"I was feeling a little blue for the past few days... I had just said "till next time" to my three sisters, nieces and nephews. We only manage to be together as a full unit once or twice a year, since Michelle, our youngest sister lives in Omaha, Nebraska and the rest of us live in Florida. Plus, Lisa and Joy reside in the Tampa Clearwater area, Mami and Pachi live in Sunrise and Ronald and I, in Miami Beach. The contrast between the laugh and cry fest that marks our reunions and the nostalgic emotions that come with loading up the car and driving to the airport becomes more pronounced with each passing year.

I moped around for a few days, not finding a way to cope with my saddness. I didn't want to drink, wouldn't burden my friends, had exhausted the topic with my sweet husband, I don't have a therapist...?"

"But then I "Stumbled Upon" this page (How do you "Stumble"? Click on "Share It", below...) and I've been swaying to the beat of my own drummer since. I shared the site with my sisters and they agreed. This one swings."

Longing

"We still long to be together. Our realizations of our love for each other get deeper with each year. In the meantime, we look for ways to make each other smile."