A Mom Memory

25 years ago, when Bob and I started dating, Mom and Dad would have Sunday dinner each week. I remember early on her talking of her dream of having all of her kids and spouses and grand kids living under one roof. She talked about a huge house that we could all live in together. She described a house with many wings so that we could as she would say, "have our own privacy" but still have meals together. Now remember, I had my own dreams at the time of Bob and I getting married and having our own home and family. So, I wasn't exactly thrilled with her dream but also knew that it was very unlikely to happen.

Now, 20 years have passed and we decided that we are going to build our "dream home" in Northville. We set out on our dream and not long after, Bob's brother Ed decides to also build a home for his family. Ed buys the lot across the street from us and builds his "dream home" for his family. Three years pass after Ed moves in across the street from us. A friend and neighbor of ours builds a home in the next sub over and needs to sell their home two doors down from us. We tell Denise and Jack about it and yes, they buy it and move in two months later. So, we've got Ed, Denise and Bob all living within shouting distance from each other. We've yet to get Mike over here. Mom and Dad's house is right up Beck Rd about five minutes from us so to say that we are in very close proximity to each other as most families could be to each other is an understatement.

Mom didn't physically make it possible for us to live so closely, but I truly believe that it was her dream and her prayers that placed us all together. I don't want to mislead anyone and say that it's always easy living so closely together and there certainly been times when all of us have wondered why we all do. But, I can tell you that the benefits are immeasurable.

Today, when Christopher walked in the door from school, his cell phone rang. He answered it and within a minute, he was walking out the door. I asked him where he was going and he said to Kendra's house. (Ed's daughter) I asked him what was going on and he said that "she needs my help". There are so many times that all of us and especially all the cousins are there for each other and we all know that we can make a call and there will be family there.

Mom, thank you for your dreams and prayers, they have come true, you can rest in peace knowing that all of your children are together and taking care of one another.