Mothers' Day 2007

It was a beautiful day. The sun shined brightly and a cool breeze blew over the lazy stream, lifting its rippling, peaceful sound the back porch, still covered with potted plants from the funeral a week before.

Family gathered to eat food, address thank you cards, and find support in one another's arms. Despite the beautiful weather, the peaceful surroundings and the supportive company, fatigue registered on every face in the house.

Only the day before, Mike, Kim, Andrea and Kent started the difficult task of cleaning out Alex's apartment. They brought home boxes and bags of clothes, shoes, pictures, and personal items. They even found two pair of boxing gloves that were put to very good use on the front lawn. Kent effectively beat his uncle in a cage match.

Some of the cousins went to shoot clay pigeons at Grandma Anita's house. 100 pigeons shatter from the shotgun blasts. The other hundred broke upon impact with the newly planted bean field, uninjured by the attempts to pick them out of the air. A couple hours later, the group returned to the house with sore shoulders and ringing in their ears.

A tally of families who contributed cards, plaques, wind chimes, food, and flowers continued to grow to over 160. This doesn't even include the numerous donations to the Christmas Fund at the school.

So many mixed emotions. So many unanswered questions. So many loving thoughts and words.