Missouri and Uncle Ted

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying.

~Henry Van Eyck

This post comes to your from St. Louis, Missouri. I am here because my beloved Uncle Ted passed away. He was such an amazing man and a great example in my life. I am so blessed to be apart of his family and I am so glad that I was able to come here and celebrate the great life that he lived. I have an amazing extended family and they have been such a great blessing to have at this difficult time. We were very sad for the circumstances that brought us all together, but very happy that we were all able to be together at this time. Uncle Ted loved to have fun. He was always the life of the party, and there was definitely a party, when he was around. After the funeral we were able to gather at my cousin Johns house. He was so gracious to open his house up to our HUGE family. We were so shocked that they were able to fit all 86 of us in his house for a meal. Thanks John and Mary. After the meal, we were sitting around and I found myself getting pretty cocky with one of my older cousins, Jeff. Jeff was in the Army, and he is very tall and very strong. I told him that I could of course beat him at arm wrestling.
as you can plainly see, I was not winning at all. So, I decided that this simply would not do. I was in the kitchen and I was talking to a "cousin" on the other side of the family, and she suggested that I stick Ice down Jeff's back. I of course, was all for this idea. So I waited for my perfect opportunity and went for it. Jeff then retaliated and in this next picture you will see how I ended up.
He had me flat on my back within seconds. I guess his combat skills kicked in, and he felt that I needed to be taught who was in charge. Well, what he didn't realize is that I have more people on my side then on his. So I quickly gained favor with other cousins who wanted to see Jeff be taught his lesson. This is what happened next.
It was dog pile on Jeff time. his own daughter joined in the quest to get Jeff down and out. My own sister decided to come in and join the fun, she put more ice down his back, and the game was on between Katie and myself. Jeff was aware that he could definitely take the both of us, and this is what came as a result of us trying to conquer.
We thought we had him, but as it turned out we definitely did NOT have him. we both ended up on the floor and then we decided we were just not gonna get him where we wanted. So we all at this point were out of breath and Jeff was pretty sweaty. Getting pounced on takes a lot out of a man. It was definitely a show for everyone who was sitting around watching the fun, rather than getting involved in the craziness.

I want to post some amazing pictures that were taken at the graveside service. My Uncle Ted was in the Marine Reserves so they were amazing and came and did a salute to him, and presented my Aunt with a American Flag.
It was such a great day. We were so proud to be there. I also was able to get a picture of my siblings while at the service. The only person missing is my sister Amanda. Sad that she couldn't be there.
I also love the picture that my mom was able to take with her siblings. the only one missing is my Aunt Irene. We sure missed you and wish you could have come.
What an amazing time I had in Missouri. I love my family and so thankful for them everyday. I am going to miss my Uncle Ted so very much and I am so happy to be apart of his continuing legacy of love and happiness that he has left with all of us.