My Sister Bev

This is me (on the left :) ) and my baby sister,Bev. This was taken the last time we saw each other,which I now realize was OVER two years ago! The time flies way too fast and we don't see each other enough, as you can tell. She lives in Florida . We have different Moms , same Dad. We didn't grow up in the same house but we have found a bond in our middle life that I wish we could have shared much much earlier in our lives. But I'm very grateful that we have connected as much as we have now.

She has been on my mind alot the last couple weeks as she has gone through some health issues and other struggles. I have somewhat of a phone phobia which makes us connecting even more difficult with the distance we live from one another. So we e mail ,thank god for that anyway.

Life has had its up's and downs for her and her family and for mine over the years but we are always there rooting for the best for both of us. I am dedicating todays post to her hoping that she finds the strength to get through her latest hardships . I know she will becouse she is a survivor and one hellava strong woman.

Stay strong Sis,I love you and I carry you in my heart where ever I go!

Families are like fudge,mostly sweet with a few nuts {author unknown}

I love the above quote becouse it sums up family to me perfectly. I don't know about the rest of you,but most people I have talked with have this view of thier family in general. You love em,but there are those few that you just shake your head about and even those few that ,well you just tolerate.
But all in all you still love them,faults and all. We have also heard that you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family. Well I have found that if you have certain friends for long enough they become just like your family,mostly sweet,with a few nuts. Funny how that is.

Wonder which of my family members shake their head about me? I have certainly given some of them reason to in my life time. I married three times,the last to a much younger man. I'm sure that caused some head shaking. Most of my family I am sure look at me with fondness,at least I hope so. I try my best to love them all unconditionally,flaws and all. I remember all thier birthdays and root for them when they need it.
What has coused all this family introspection? Been talking with my daughter lately about loyalty. Family and otherwise. It seems sometimes we all can get cought up in our own lives that we forget what it means to be connected to each other. We see each other briefly on Facebook or My Space. I recently deleated my My Space account. I am thinking of doing the same with Facebook. I only keep it as a way to keep up with some old friends and distant family and they all have my e mail if they really want to contact me. I do find Facebook mindless fun sometimes.

Whats the point to all this? Nothing really,just rambling ......

I'll leave you with this last quote:
"It's not Flesh and Blood but the Heart which makes us Fathers and Sons" {John Shiller}

D'Angelo Family Weekend

My Nephew Tony and his wife Ann and thier 14 month old boy,Samuel came in this Memorial weekend for a visit from Chicago. It brought all of us D'Angelos that live in this area together also. There are a few of us in the above picture at the Detroit Zoo. Many of my family live out of state. And visit's are few and far between. It is so nice to get everyone together. We had a great weekend . The weather cooperated ,so we went to the Zoo and the Rochester Heritage Festival.



I strongly recommend that Festival to anyone wanting to have a great Family time. The Park is beautiful and there are many family events going on. Duck race,simulated war fights,crafts,old car show. People dressed up in 1800's period dress. Food booths, Petting zoo. I would definatly go again!

Hope everyone's holiday weekend was as fun as mine!

so much happens in a year...

It has been a year since my precious girl suffered a blood clot large enough to almost completely cut off the circulation in her left leg. She was in Greece when this happened and I could not be there to help her. I have never felt so frustrated in my life! She was on the other side of the world hurting and I could not get to her! I think I know now how mothers feel that have children in the armed forces. Not knowing day after day what danger they are in,not being able to get to them when they are. I don't care how old your children get,they are always your children .

Last year was one of the worst. Rachel,my daughter and only child had three major health problems.Losing a good portion of her hearing in one ear,suddenly. Being diagnosed with Celiac ,an autoimmune disorder,and the Protien S Factor V blood clotting disorder. One of them would be more than enough for anyone to deal with. She has learned to deal with all three admirably. Not without allot of suffering and soul searching. I am damn proud of her.

Samuel is ONE

Happy Birthday to my great Nephew Samuel ! He turned one in March but I just got some new pics of him. I wish he lived closer than Chicago.Cute Boy!!