"Be still my soul, when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last."

We have had three family breakfasts in a row. It is amazing how tired we can get while relaxing, isn't it? A blur of activity.

Yesterday, we followed up breakfast with a visit to the Protestant cemetery where Mom, three of my grandparents, my great grandparents, and my great great grandparents are buried, along with a host of other relatives. I am not sure but I think the majority of them are now in that great cloud of witnesses above.

We then went on a hunt at the Catholic cemetery for my great grandmother from Lithuania. This was a puzzle. After we had to leave (clients calling Noel), my sister and cousin found her unmarked grave with the direct help of cemetery personnel. Her third husband is in an unmarked grave beside her. Sadly, she died during my junior year of high school and I did not hear till much later. Some kind of family estrangement.

Today, we folllowed up breakfast with Dad by going to his apartment so I could claim some of Mom's clothes and jewelry. I have one of her shirts and necklaces on right now. Very comforting.

I also had a girls' night last night with high school friends. My favorite number for conversation at table, four. I think the other three are all believers but if not, my sharing about the Lord's goodness last night may have touched hearts in a way only God could know! One of the friends was Ann, whose double transplant husband has been on our prayer list. They still need prayer. She has been a caretaker of an ill husband so long she/they hardly know how to resume life after he has had a successful transplant, has lost 100 pounds, and has his diabetes under control. I am excited for them but I think it is scary for them, too.

Trips back home stir up emotion, but most of all remind us that God is faithful. Always, in all times.