Something Personal.  A Tribute. 

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I have been away from posting for a couple of weeks and am slow getting back to "life".  I typically do not post personal information or "stuff" here, but am inclined to do so today.  If you don't want to read a personal story,  today is not the day to visit my site.  Please come back tomorrow!
     My last post was before our family vacation to the beach.  My immediate family, my brother, his wife and son and my parents have a tradition of going to the beach together every year over the week of July 4th to celebrate together.  The last two years had a lapse in the tradition due to my father's health.  We were so excited to get back together this year, even though I know it was bittersweet for  my mother, as we would be missing my father.  
     We had a fabulous week together!  We had wonderful weather during the days, delicious meals together in the evenings and such a fun time being together.  My brother, Mike, has a boat that he loves.  He spent some time each day on the water in his boat, the Sea Possum.  He took us over to Cumberland Island one of our days there and we had a lovely day fishing, swimming, finding tons of sandollars and picnicking.  
     Our week was winding down on Thursday.  I made a wonderful (and healthy!) dinner of steamed Alaskan King Crab, lobster and shrimp.  My brother made the comment after dinner that "it had been a great day!"  I'm so glad it was.  We lost my brother that night.  My sweet, older brother.  Larger than life character.  Always smiling.  Joking.  Always having a story, and boy, telling a story.  Making everyone feel good.  Never met a stranger. Loyal friend. Hero to my boys.  Rock to my mother.  Loving husband.  Proud father.  Brother to my husband.  My best friend.    As my husband said a week later, during the funeral, Mike got more out of every minute, of every hour, of every day of his life.  He truly lived and had fun. What a joy!
     Therefore, when I get out of this black hole, I am committed to having fun, living life, making each day count and having a story. As Mike always said, "It's all about the story".  That will be my tribute.   
     I hope it will be yours too.  Have fun.  Have a story and tell a story :)        
 
To get an idea of Mike, take a look at Team Possum . . . 
(in yellow)

Hope you have a fun time today.  
Hope you have a story this week.  I'd love to hear it . . .