Pascha and Bright Monday in MI

Pascha was good, beautiful.

I held onto my wooden beads when I would

feel a bit weepy about my +Aunt Karen;

overall it was a very joyful service for me with 

many beautiful moments.

My flight home today was smooth and quick.

I went to my +Aunt Karen's visitation tonight.

A big loss, unquestionably.

One of my father's cousins is familiar with Russia

and Orthodoxy and I was able to explain what a 

Bright Week funeral would have been like and that was 

nice and very unexpected to be understood,

as my family is respectful of Orthodoxy but do not know 

a lot about it (not something we discuss at length).

 Anyway, that was nice for me.... and not surprisingly,

my family and extended family and my Aunt Karen's side of the family

(she is married to my Dad's brother) is so warm and welcoming as well.

It will be hard to say goodbye

but am grateful it is bright week.

I am grateful that my family loves Christ so much.... that they know that

we grieve with HOPE.

I am going to wear my red jacket and my white skirt,

just like I wore on Pascha....