Thanksgiving 2006

Originally uploaded by SillySilers.

3/5/86 - 2/14/09

My cousin Robert passed away a little over a week ago on Valentine’s Day. Being that he was only 22yrs old it was an obvious shock to the family. My Mom and I drove down, and represented us all, to Florida to do anything we could for his Mom, sister and brother. We really did not know what we had to do … we just knew we had to be there for them. I do not think there is anything that would have kept us from going.

We all shared in the pain and loss of Robert’s father (my Uncle Bob) back in 1993 … we were all very close then, close like a family should be. Supportive. Comforting. Dysfunctional. Crazy. There are some things that just seem to help shape you who you are … the death of my Uncle was one of those things for me.

After Uncle Bob passed we went several years without seeing Robert. His Mom moved to the west coast and we just kinda lost contact but we never lost thoughts and memories on him. I’m glad Robert and his sister were able to come up and spend Thanksgiving with us in 2006; it was the last time I saw Robert. He’d grown so much since the time I had seen him prior to that. He was quiet that weekend, he seemed to be soaking a lot of it in. He smiled a lot, he hugged a lot. He had a good time, I know he did …

Robert is safe now. No more pains, no more worries, and no more troubles. He’s with his Daddy … just like he told him he’d be.

I’m back in Georgia now and slowly getting back on track … but i feel as if I’m still in a haze and still amazed at the paths life can take us all. Many memories both good and bad were brought to light last week. Let’s just say I’m holding my family tighter and closer.