We stood in line waiting for the “It’s a Small World” ride.  The music and lyrics worming their way into our heads.  My boys were holding my hands.  They each needed to pee…badly.  They were in complete Disney World bliss with their Mom and Grandparents.  It was hour number eight, and day number two of our trip to visit my Mom’s father, their great-grandfather.

We were so close to boarding the ride when my Dad got the call that his mother was in full cardiac arrest.  It was a shock and it hit us like a ton of bricks.

I looked at my kids and saw them holding my parents’ hands.  Building their own grandparent memories.  I thought of my brother and I spending summers with my grandparents in Maryland.  They would take us to carnivals and let us win a goldfish.  They would take us on endless car rides to visit Gettysburg and war monuments that I had absolutely no interest in.  We loved them just as my kids love their grandparents.

These are the moments that I don’t ever want my children to forget.  And I don’t want to forget.  Family is so important and whether you’re coloring a picture together, or playing a game, or heading into a Buzz Light Year action ride it’s always better with family holding your hand.

My grandfather playing 20 Questions with Asa.

In loving memory of Catherine J. Preftakes.  Thanks for all the wonderful memories.