patmonahan:

 What a wonderful tribute to your father and mother. You are who you are because of them and your family. I was thinking about the occasions when families gather  together… for a wedding, a funeral. We remember the weddings but fleetingly but there seems to be a deeper bond formed during the sadder times, at least that’s what I have felt. We go about our busy lives saying that we cherish our families and we do but we learn the true meaning when we are together for a sad occasion. I wish you and your family all the best as you process the feelings that will come. Thank you for sharing - what other famous person is so real. That is why you are sso respected and loved by your fans. Take care, Pat.

love , caroline

Then I will live to a very old age. I was just with ALL of my brothers and sisters for the first time in ten years. That was Thanksgiving just before my mom passed away.
So, there we were in Erie, PA to be with my dad during a pretty scary time for all of us due to his health struggle at 85…