Celebrating Life

One that ended too soon and a new one due in February.

A childhood friend died of cancer in Michigan and a Celebration of his life was held a week later for a gentle man who was a former hockey semi pro, loving father, brother, son, uncle and all around great friend to many.

My youngest granddaughter, Aurora, is jumping with joy, as are all who know her mom - due to have a boy in February. There will be a 13 year difference in the children's ages but what does that matter when the stars have aligned for all the other details? Her mom has nearly completed schooling, has moved into a three bedroom home after 10 years in low income housing and has built a great relationship with a fine man.

We're all overjoyed because Aurora's mom's family has endured a lot of heartache. Two brother died within four years of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, her mom had breast cancer, she had one miscarriage and a few rough patches before she realized it was time to value herself.

With Duchenne's MD some of the women carry the recessive gene and pass it on to 50% of the males. Aurora's aunt was not a carrier but her mom is. Now we wait for a couple weeks for testing to see if this boy will carry the gene. Either way, the new life is loved and couldn't be welcomed by better people, prepared to handle whatever the future holds.

An added blessing is my granddaughter, who's been in the tween angst and rebellious stage, has turned a corner and appears to be maturing into the best young woman we all know she is.