A gathering of days....

form a record of a journey. In this case, mine. Maybe it's because I'm a Libra, and things must be measured and balance. I look at the faces in this Christmas 1999 photo and shake my head, where do the days and weeks and years go? But I know that I have gathered them, and they are an endless stream of connected memories.Some with photos to share.
 This is grandson #3, Christopher. He's the little tyke on my knee wearing the red shirt and bib overalls in 1999. Here he is with his mom, now 12 yrs old. He's nearly as tall as I am. The next picture is a rare one. Partly because I haven't shared many pictures of myself.
 This was my birthday celebration in October, 2010 when I turned 70. Being a fat and sassy old Granny Finn, I'm reluctant to share pictures of me. I suppose we all are, about one thing or another. I'm holding my youngest grandson, A.J. who will be 2 in May. And DD#2 Jenny, sitting next to me, holding grandson Levi, who is turning 4 this month. Behind me left to right, DS#3, Justin, Grandson #2 Brady(16), DS#1 Matthew, (Brady's dad).In the middle back is my DD#1 Stephanie, her hubby Brian, and Son-In-Law John, married to Jenny. Obviously we are missing about 8 or 9 more grandsons and all 3 granddaughters and middle son John and his family. It was a surpise party on a beautiful October afternoon and it was wonderful to be with my kids.
 And one more picture memory floated to the surface tonight, as we slip into another weekend. This one on New Years Day 2011, when we gathered for our family Christmas celebration. This is Matthew's family. My oldest grandson Nick(18),Granny Finn, son Matt, his wife Sheri, and on the floor grandson Brady (16)and the youngest in their family, Tanner, age 12. It was a lovely cold sunny day and we had a wonderful time.
Family pictures that are complete, with all my kids, and their kids, have become nearly impossible. Partly because of distance, but also "circumstances". You know, the kind that has "the Courts" involved in them? Of my 5, 3 have "intact" families, and it's very hard on the two sons who don't. We do the best we can, enjoy who's there and hope for more next time.
For Christmas this year I received one special present in particular. Due to "circumstances" there was only ONE occasion that brought my 2 sisters, their children, my Dad and my family together. We planned a special Father's Day picnic in the town where he was living and managed to have everyone there. Lots of pictures were taken, but as it turns out, there was to be just ONE picture of my Dad with his 9 grandchildren. I don't think any of us realized it at the time. My oldest DD took the snapshot, had a 8 X 10 picture made, and framed for me. It sits up on top of the computer desk where I see it everytime I look up at the clock. I can't tell you how precious it is to see my Dad with the happy young faces of his grandchildren. I'm so glad that day didn't drift off into memory without a trace.