While I was visiting my family in California for my Grandfather’s funeral, I was fortunate enough to attend my niece, Delaney’s 3rd birthday party. I’ve been living in New York now for about 4 years and have never had the chance to be present for the celebration, so I took the opportunity to soak up every ounce of the day that I could.
Knowing I was in California for my Grandfather’s funeral made me feel that the trip would hold few smiles, that it was meant for grieving and remembering my Grandfather and the life he had fully lived for 91 years. While my time there was certainly full of tears and sorrow, I found my self smiling amidst my tears. Children and my family simply have that affect on me. Seeing the way my nephew, Paul lights up when my Dad greeted him or hearing Delaney’s laughter as she jumped higher and higher in her bouncer, seeing my older sister, Dory sit in the play house with all the kids, watching my Mother love her grandchildren, all made me appreciate life and the life my Grandfather lived in a way that I wouldn’t have had I not had this wonderful family of mine to witness. These pictures make me smile, because smiling is completely contagious and I feel incredibly humbled and lucky to be a part of a family that smiles, even amidst their tears.
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