Family is Dear

Laura's first time belly dancing

I wanted to write tonight in gratitude for my amazing family.  Last night my relatives and I met for dinner.  We went to a restaurant called the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe.  Unfortunately, some relatives were in town because my godmother or aunt is struggling with pancreatic cancer.  I love her so much.  She is one of the most generous, loving women I have ever had the priveledge to meet and love.  I will never forget all she has done for the family.  She helped my family in every way possible when my mom had died when I was only nine. My Aunt Philly would come over from Minneapolis to our Lake Minnetonka home and do all the laundry for us five kids.  There were loads and loads of laundry.  I felt so guility even as a kid.  My aunt was tiny and here she was going up and down the stairs doing our laundry because my dad was struggling with chemical dependency issues. 

What a beautiful night of connection with family.  There were around fifty of us in our own private room at this Mediterrean restaurant.  My beautiful Aunt Muggs and Aunt Franny, 89 and 83 respectively, were dancing like crazy with the belly dancer that performed.

The love that was in this room was palpable.  My family, though I am deeply partial because I think I am the luckiest woman in the world with a family like mine.  You could say that we are a deeply spiritual group, so get us together and it is a love fest.  I also danced with the belly dancer, and actually was the first in the family to do so.

I am just sitting here feeling so grateful for the love in my family.  Please enjoy my pictures.