INSPIRASUNS

If you’ve been popping in to read this little blog regularly you know that my husband and I typically have some music playing while we’re making dinner. Last night was one of those nights, we were listening to the Bobby Darin channel, and they were playing some really great songs by some great artists.

Dinner was ready and we were just shutting off the music when Elvis came on singing Blue Suede Shoes. It’s funny, my mind instantly went to my uncle Gene, I mean like a memory of him flashed right into my head. You see my uncle Gene LOVED Elvis. He styled his jet-black hair like his, wore a white t-shirt and jeans most days, and I believe he owned a pair of blue suede shoes. In his day my uncle was a handsome man!

Uncle Gene, (he was my mom’s younger brother), wasn’t much of a talker and he certainly had his share of problems, but I know he loved his family. Mom was one of six children, she was the oldest, and she kind of looked after them growing up. She had a special fondness for her brother Gene. Maybe it was because they were closer in age, he was next in line after her.

As I look back on those years I remember mom sharing stories about Gene, and they almost always included something about him having Elvis on the radio 🙂 . I also remember when we got the call that he had passed away. Uncle Gene was the first of the siblings to pass away, and he was far too young when he did. I accompanied my mom to the funeral in Texas several days later, I wasn’t very old, maybe early teens. It was the first time I saw my mom really break down. She struggled just to get into the funeral home that afternoon and I saw the love she had for her family pour out that day.

I guess you are probably wondering why I share this story this morning? I think I wanted to share this to say that families are not perfect, relationships get icky sometimes, sometimes you fade away from each other, or you simply don’t talk or see each other as much as you should, but there is always a bond. Maybe Father is just nudging me to remember that family is yet another gift in our lives, a special gift to be cherished.

So as you are readying for your day, take a moment to give thanks for your family. Make time to pick up the phone and check in with them, send a card, or better yet, get together. Hey, maybe even play some Elvis tunes when you do 🙂 , ok, maybe that’s a stretch. Have a wonderful day my friends, and remember God is always with us.

2 Corinthians 6:18
And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.