The Family visit to Maine

In July, Jul, Steph, Chris, Nikki, Meg, Mike, Emma and baby Michael came to Maine for a visit with me and Ed and Eddie. It was wonderful to have them come. Next year I hope Nick and Kerri can join us. I hope this will be a yearly event. The group kayaked (led by Jul), tubed, wakeboarded (led by Steph), and rode the Jet Skis. Emma and Michael loved being taken for rides on the Jet Skis and Mike seemed to enjoy it too! We had family dinners prepared by Nikki and Meg with help from Steph. We did a great jigsaw puzzle on the history of rock and roll (1000 piece puzzle done in 2 days!) We played Bingo. We spent quality time together as a family.
As it will always be when our family gathers, we felt the missing piece of our family, Pammie. I thought about her when we were doing crafts with Emma (felt whales). I thought about her alot when I was shopping for the weekend because she would have so enjoyed preparing and getting things together. As I sat watching the tubing and wakeboarding and kayaking, I was wishing that Pam was sitting next to me, because she loved to watch her kids have fun.
I especially missed her when we were sitting around the fire pit and Meg and Emma were singing the song " a boy and a girl and a little canoe....". I could hear Pam's voice in my head singing that song (maybe she was singing along)! Singing was Pam's specialty, and whenever Meg was around, they were always singing their old girl scout songs. Pam would have cried that Emma, at 3/12, alreadly knows these songs.
I am thankful that our family can get together and have fun and laugh. And I am also thankful that I always feel Pam's spirit with us, whenever we get together.

Love,

Aunt Eileen