33 Comments
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Bryn Robinson's avatar

A beautiful, exuberant photo <3

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Bryn. It was a lovely way to spend a week, and end that day. 🌅

Barry P Osborne's avatar

Your picture says it all...... All those moments of lifetimes preparing for moments like these.... happy for your happiness....

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Real joy, for sure, Barry. I try to let go of how much I wish the moments could be longer and more frequent so that I don't lose sight of the happiness that's happening right in front of me!

Catherine Lynch& Glenn Collins's avatar

all those beauties!!!

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Aw, thanks, Catherine & Glenn.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

If we're lucky enough, we live for those moments. I'm glad you had yours. Love the picture!

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Exactly that, yes. Each one has to last until the next one. So far, so good!

Susan Owens Bernhardy's avatar

So glad you could all be together and in one of our very favorite places❤️

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

It is a spectacular place - but I shall also put in a plug for Australia, when the motivation strikes you. 😊 Thanks for the comment, Susan.

darrell parsons's avatar

Amen! To the desire for getting together; for the getting together; for the joy and wrinkles; for the bittersweet tears. Our family shared such a moment this past weekend in a celebration of life service for our Matriarch. Three generations together in celebration/sorrow as you describe so beautifully.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Ah, Darrell, I'm sorry your getting together involved a different kind of farewell, but there is surely strength in the community. Appreciate you.

vicki cotter's avatar

Perfect imperfect families are. And how lovely that is. ❤️

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Lovely, indeed. I consider myself very fortunate, "warts and all."

RobS's avatar

So wonderful! I was still smiling after a second reading. 🥰 I feel your gratitude instinctively. Perhaps contributing to my reaction is that through some sort of cosmic serendipity the gaggle on this side of your fam also trekked long distance to the mountains of Colorado a few days ago, also for a wedding, with toddlers in tow. “Gratitude” seems an understatement of course. So happy for you.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Love it! The magnetism of the mountains and serendipitously timed celebrations. Despite the far flungedness (ha!) of our kin, it's nice to know we can still find our way back to each other. Happy for you, too.

CATHERINE RICHARDS's avatar

no ticket price on the value of our human connections.

thanks friend

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Agree, 100%!! Thanks, Kate.

Kate Yonkers's avatar

A beautiful family all around, radiating happiness, wrinkles and all. So delighted for you that you could travel to be together.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

We feel very lucky, Kate. Any visit is special, but they are even more precious now that the opportunities are so limited. Thanks for commenting. 💚

Margaret's avatar

Wonderful post as always!! Fun to spend time w all four of you too. Xxoo

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Five stars, all the way around!! Thanks for being part of my circle of special peeps.

Suzanne Todd's avatar

Beautiful story. Bittersweet, but hold onto the sweet parts.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Yes, I must. They're the lifeline! Thanks, Suzanne.

Lyn Rollins's avatar

Beautiful photo, beautiful people, beautiful sentiments. Your words often bring (joy-filled and empathetic) tears to my eyes, this piece was no exception. ❤️

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Lyn. We've talked about how it doesn't seem to get easier, even though we're so very proud of their achievements. Grateful for the comment, and the understanding. 💚

prue batten's avatar

Family is everything...

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

This can be so true, Prue. But, I realize that for some people, family doesn't exist in the traditional sense. That gives me reason to consider what we find in functional (or suitably functional?) families that makes us feel so attached. Alongside the shared stories and deep history, think it's the sense of belonging, the feeling that these people would step up for us, with our best interests at heart, no matter what. Thankfully, when families fall apart, friends can stand firm.

prue batten's avatar

So true and every family has a black sheep or even a whole flock, skeletons in the cupboards too. The saying that you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family is so very true.

When I think of the clan I used to belong to, we chat about memories when we get together. However, there's not much else because we're all vastly different.

But my own little family has been to hell and back over the last 5 years and it seems to have bound us together with ties that I hope will bend and flex through life so we can always be there for each other. XXXX