Growing up in the Lewis family was pretty exciting at times. As with all families you have the good, the bad and the ugly.  We had a lot of "good" times or great as I think back.  And our bad times here and there.  Ugly rarely existed because all turmoil would work itself out. 

It seemed like every weekend at least of of the nights the parents (including Aunt Sandi) would get together at someones house and play cards, eat and have fun.  It was great as all the cousins would "hangout" and be cool.  Or, so we thought most of the time.  These times were so much fun!  All the cousins would play together and have a blast.  When we were too quiet, I'm sure this rarely happened, is when you'd hear the parents start to check on us.  I can still hear Aunt Sandi yelling at us kids. (Daavvvviiddd Lee or Heathhhher Lynn or you kids better....Haha)  It didn't matter who you belonged to, if you were not doing what you were supposed to, well you'd be in trouble.  :-)  I can't imagine life being any other way and am saddened by families that don't have relatives to live life with.  So, therefore, I'm very thankful for all the memories.

A few years back at a family dinner, my parents divorced along the way several years prior, I had one of th best compliements from my Aunt Sandi and Aunt Connie.  You see because our family was so close my mom was still thought of as family even after the divorce.  My father is Aunt Sandi's sister.  Some families disconnect from ex-family members, but my Aunts still love my mom.  So, now back to my biggest complement, I was sitting talking with my Aunts (probably playing cards too), when they said to me, "you know, talking to you is just like talking to your mom..."  Of course, I was very proud at that moment and it made me feel so special.  They actually felt I was special like my mom. :-)

I will dearly miss Aunt Sandi.  She was the socialite in the family.  Organizing holiday dinners for us all to come together a few times a year. Because busy lives pull us all in different directions and if we didn't have these get together's we wouldn't be able to see the family and how it keeps growing and to keep close.  I will miss these dinners at her house and spending time with her here and there.  I know she'll be wherever the family gathers in spirit.  God is amazing and I know she's in a very beautiful place with all her loved ones in Heaven.  Selfishly, I will continue to miss her and wish she was still here with us.