Sunday Blog post

 This past week has been such a swirl of emotions, from laughter to a few tears and everything in between.

Friday was a very special day for our family. We gathered for my dad’s Celebration of Life event, which was both emotional and beautiful. All my brothers came into town, some of whom I hadn’t seen in at least five years, and seeing everyone together again felt like time folded in on itself. Friends from my dad’s church joined too, and there was so much warmth in the room.

If you’re new to the idea of a celebration of life event, it’s actually becoming more common these days. It’s a way for someone to celebrate their life while they’re still here, to share stories, connect with loved ones, and feel the love firsthand. There was also a beautiful Baptist song that was sung, and a virtual photo montage filled with pictures of my dad and our family through the years. Each of us took turns sharing something meaningful about our connection to him, including how disciplined he was and how, when he and my mother found they couldn’t have children of their own, they chose to open their hearts and adopt four of us. We were all very moved by his strong faith and his courage. My father also fought in the Vietnam War, and he carried some battle scars from those years, both seen and unseen, which made his resilience and compassion even more profound. My dad really enjoyed it, and I think we all left with full hearts.

Then Saturday brought another adventure, one involving my brother’s Nintendo Switch! He accidentally left it at the Baymont Hotel in Shakopee, which meant a 40-minute drive each way. While I was there, though, I made the most of it and visited my cousin and my Aunt Cindy. We caught up over dinner, which turned the whole errand into something much more meaningful.

In between all of that, I’ve also been diving into some great reads. I finally picked up Not Me, It’s You by Mhairi McFarlane.I’ve been thinking again about One Day in December, which I loved for its heartfelt story. (I heard they will be making an adaptation of this one)I’m also coming into Jason Mars’ novel The One a bit late, but I’m really enjoying the multi-perspective storytelling and the depth of the characters. Now I’m on the lookout for other books with a similar feel, stories that offer multiple viewpoints, rich character development, and emotional resonance.

This was my week, tell me about yours in the comments below.