One Last Game of UNO

I saw something today that affected me, and regardless of my 4:45 a.m. alarm for an early flight, I don't want to forget how today made me feel.  A little before 9:00 this morning, I watched a suburban pull into my grandparent's driveway through the front window of my parent's house.  I vaguely heard my dad say something about them starting to show up.  As I tuned into what he was actually telling me, I saw my grandmother's brother get out of the suburban and slowly make his way into her house.

He was the first to arrive.

My Granny Katherine had 15 brothers and sisters, and even though that number is less now, it didn't take long for the driveway and yard to fill up with cars.  You see, today they all gathered around her kitchen table to play cards with their brother, Dink, who is not in good health and has been told that there isn't much else the doctors can do for him.  Today was set aside for one last game of UNO, Dink's favorite.

I can't even write that without tears filling my eyes.  I asked Dad to send me some pictures when he took Carter up to visit, because I knew that I wasn't emotionally stable enough to walk in that front door.  But I haven't stopped thinking about them all day.  I cannot count how many card games I've watched my Granny Katherine play with her brothers and sisters over the years, and it dawned on me today just how much love they all have for each other.  I've never heard them fight or argue or even of them fighting or arguing. They fill waiting rooms when necessary.  They fill kitchen tables and restaurants for celebrations.  They show up for everything.  I mean really show up.  The men even come to baby and wedding showers.

It's truly an amazing example that I think I have taken for granted.  An example of unconditional love to the very core.  I'm ashamed to say I have failed at that.  I have one brother, and I want and need to love him better.  I've got the "show up" part...that comes easy.  I can't say the same for the fighting and arguing.  I drove to the end of Frizzell Loop, grabbed my phone and text him a quick "I love you" message.  I felt like he needed to know that very second.

I hope and pray Charley and Carter have a "York" relationship with each other throughout their lifetime.  As long as they don't ever see anything like the 2014 Jessica and Justin Opry Mills Christmas Shopping Blow Up they will be just fine.  (Girls, remind me to fill you in when you grow up...it will be funny by then...hopefully.)

For now I plan to do better.  To be better.  To love better.  To not waste a legacy of love that has been created for me...not only by my earthly family, but from my Heavenly Father.

Justin, mark you calendar.  I want to play UNO with you when we are in our eighties.