Family

"It's not how many people thre are in a family that counts, but rather the feelings among the people who are there." (Fred Rogers)

Once again, Mr. Rogers and I agree (who knew that could happen? Way back when my kids were watching him I wasn't so much a fan!). I love his comment on family. I suppose this resonates with me because I always wanted a bigger family than I was able to have. (I wasn't great at birthin' babies and I was medically retired very early on which was hard to deal with for a while). I've always told people that I may not have quantity, but I sure have quality! They laugh, but it's true.

Our oldest son Chris and his wife Tara live in Dallas with their 2 boys, Daniel and Ben. They are a wonderful family and it's fun to watch the things they are able to do because they are goal-setters. The boys are sweet and fun to be around. The famly is bright and funny and we wish we could see them more often. (although with Dallas being about a 3 hour drive, that sure isn't a complaint -- it could be Boston or something, right?!)

Chris, Natalie, Maya and Mason live literally 5 minutes from us. Natie and the kiddoes and I do things together daily, and we do family stuff together all the time, probably at least a couple of times a week. We love it that they are willing to share their lives and their little ones with us and we find it to be one of our greatest blessings. We sit together at Church on Sunday, (sounds small, but isn't) and we feel that their presence in our daily lives is a gift.

Matthew, our youngest, lives with us but is looking for an apt. for himself and when he does, he will move on. Thank goodness it will still be in Austin! He's wonderful. He's single, but one of his greatest pleasures in life is the fact that he's an uncle and he too enjoys every chance he gets to be with the little ones. Yesterday he and Maya were playing dress-up and her comment was "Monkey sure has great dress-up clothes! He's fun!" He works full-time and goes to school as well and we are proud of him.

There were only 5 of us to begin with, and now there are 11 which still isn't a large group. But the feelings are there. Love, respect, concern, pride, (in a good way!) friendship, caring, empathy, and most of all, a shared belief that we are a part of each other and always will be.

These are good feelings. Thanks, Fred!