Family

Today we say good-bye to the loving spirit who went by the name of Ray Bunt.  He was the grandfather of my son-in-law and it was my distinct pleasure to be inducted into his extended "family." To Ray, we were all family and I learned a lot about that word from him.

Dinner always begins with a beverage - usually alcoholic.  People are just a lot happier when they drink and by golly, there's no reason not to be happy in this life.

Christmas is sacred and everybody shows up.  The in-laws, the out-laws, everybody.  He believed strongly that once you're in the family, you are always welcome at the door.  It matters not how you left, you can always come home again.

Birthdays are your own celebration.  It's the only day of the year that you can call your own.  Being born on the 4th of July made him a bit of fire cracker and the 4th even more exciting than it normally would have been.  In years gone by it might include him donning his swimming suit but it always meant a party, beer, and explosions at the end.

Marriage was through thick and thin.  He was extremely dedicated to his wife, Ann.  He understood that she was the glue that kept everything together.  He knew that he went off to work but she did the real work.  She dressed and fed everyone under their roof and anyone else who might just happen to show up.  He was the life of the party but he knew that she carried on the day to day normal stuff that made the parties possible.

Hugs and kisses are the perfect way to say hello and until I see you again.  That man gave some great hugs.  He followed up with a kiss and words that flew right into your heart and will live there for all of eternity.  Well hello.  It's great to see you.  How have you been?  How are your folks? You knew that he was happy to see you and really wanted to be with you.  He wanted to know how you were, how your parents were doing and anything else that was going on in your life.  He could carry on a conversation with anyone about anything because he had a knack for getting to know people.

Ray taught me very quickly that family is what it is all about.  His family grew and grew through the years and I am absolutely thrilled to have felt a part of it.  I will always remember the twinkle in his eyes, the solid embrace that met you at his door, and the love that you felt just being in his presence.  I know that he is already up in heaven setting up his welcome home party and that he and Ann are back together again.