I took them out to the break wall to look at the stars.
It was so dark you couldn't see what was in front of you. You had only the moon light to guide you.
I told them to lay down and look up. To listen to the waves crash around you and to feel the spray of the lake as you look up at the millions of stars above.
I'm so glad I got to share this with them. My own flesh and blood.
10 Minutes later, my 13 year old cousin comes over to me and I sit up.
She says she needs to say something. I put my arm around her and ask what is wrong.
She says, "I'd like to believe that the stars are just the souls of the people who have passed on who want to watch us and protect us at night."
I looked at her and said, "Thats very profound for somebody your age. I like that idea. Which one do you think Grandma is?"
She looked up into the sky and after a couple minutes of staring she said, "I think that one right there is Grandma!" As she pointed to the highest and brightest star in the sky- Venus.
I told her, "I think your right!"
She then proceeded to tell me why she picked that star.
"I picked that start because it is the brightest star in the sky. It's right above us and it reminds me of our family. Because Grandma started it all. It's like she's at the top and the rest of the stars around her are us. It looks like our family tree."
I looked up at the star and a tear came down my cheek. "You're right my dear, you sure are right."
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The first family gathering after somebody passes on is a hard one. Although you all may have dealt with it already, seeing everybody again brings waves of grief back. People talk about their memories, and you are forced to reach back into your memories for some to share as well.
I'm glad I came out here. I'm glad I got to experience what used to bring my Grandmother joy. I'm glad I got to hear the story of her life.