Family is forever…or at least for lifetime. If not, it should be. The sad thing is that it isn’t that way for everyone.

More than thirty-four years ago, my mother went to heaven. One week past her fortieth birthday, she passed from this life to a better one. I have often wondered what my life would have been like if her parents and sisters did not believe ‘family is forever’.

From the day of her departure, Loretta Grant Greene’s siblings never gave a hint that I had any reason to feel any less a member of the family. Christmas celebrations, birthday cards, and expressions of support never waivered through the years to come. I must admit I took this for granted then, but my years of ministry have witnessed the disintegration of families through the death of loved ones. Too often, the passing of key family members bring about a distance if not separation from what were once beautiful family relationships.

Why the somber thoughts? In a few minutes, Pam and I will welcome three very special heroes to our home for a few days together. My mother’s identical twin and her two younger sisters will join us for a family dinner and tomorrow’s adventure to Branson. Thank you, aunts Laquitta, Gretnia and Carol for believing that ‘family is forever’. You have given that same gift to my wife, our two children and four grandchildren. Other than a few Mother’s Days through the years, it has never crossed my mind that we have been shortchanged a bit. Not for a moment. Thank you for loving us. We love you more than words can say.