Full Circle

In 1937 in western Montana, my Mom and Dad fell in love.  A shy 18 year old waitress and a 30 year old timber worker who lied about his age, telling her he was 29 because he was afraid she wouldn't marry him.  But marry him she did and they had nearly 50 years together before Dad's death.  Twelve years separate my only sibling and I, and being the baby I remained close to home, helping Mom when Dad passed and being with Mom when she passed this last April.  Mom was the best friend I ever had on this earth.  I told her every detail of everything in my life and she did the same.  I often wondered what I would ever do without her.  Somewhere in those first few weeks of grieving, I received a phone call from a long lost niece who found my name when reading Mom's obituary online.  Our family, as sometimes happens in families,lost touch with those living a great distance away.  Hard times and illnesses made it difficult to visit.  Mom and Dad passed never knowing some of their grandchildren.  In one of those long sleepless nights, I made a promise to my parents and to myself.  This family was coming back together.  In their honor I made a trip to Pennsylvania and had a joy filled reunion with two nieces and met my great nephew.  This Thanksgiving I will travel to California with my niece and visit my great niece and great great nephews.  Mom and Dad's great great grandchildren!  They will hear the stories about a grandfather who was a ranger at Yellowstone National Park and a guard during the construction of Grand Coulee Dam.  They will know about a Grandmother who rode a horse 12 miles to school and helped her father make homemade root-beer.  Best of all, they will know they are here because that shy little waitress fell in love with a handsome stranger.  They will know, Mom and Dad.  We will come full circle, I promise.