Fifty Days of Gratitude: Day 24

It's true that, for better or for worse, when you marry into a family you gain family. I have been incredibly fortunate in that my Beloved's family has loved and welcomed me with such grace and love. And my kids. This family is a wide mix of faith traditions - from Southern Baptists to Latter Day Saints to Non-Denominational to Episcopalian. And in spite of the many ways there are differences, they have ALSO accepted me, a Lutheran clergy person who happens to be a woman, as I've presided at family funerals. What a gift and treasure they are. This is on my mind because we are getting ready to commend the next to the last of my mother in love's siblings to the care of her Creator. Earth to earth. Ashes to ashes. Holy ground.

It's also on my mind because we just celebrated grand girl's first birthday. At her party, we took a grandparent's club photo and I was reminded of how warmly and completely this family my son married into has welcomed Bruce and me. They've all been so dear and so much fun and so supportive. When our daughter got married and none of my extended family came, this was the family who attended and sat with us at the family tables. They were there to cheer our girl on and to enjoy the day and to dance and eat together.

Found family. That's what I'm grateful for today.

The grandparent club!