The Ripple Effect of Love

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This week, in honor of my mother, I wanted to share some thoughts and experiences during some of the most challenging days last week.

Spoiler alert — they’re joyful!

Also, please consider joining my family in carrying on my mother’s legacy through one of the examples shared at the end.

As I looked around the funeral home before opening the doors to the public, I was struck by the sheer number of people assembled. “Surely this can’t be just my family,” I thought.

I stood back and let my gaze wander. “Wow, this is a lot of family. Wild.”

Our family tree had grown into a veritable forest. Seven children, each finding their other half, became fourteen.

Those unions blossomed into fourteen grandchildren, some of whom had partners of their own, bringing that number to a whopping twenty-one.

And let’s not forget the six great-grandchildren, with undoubtedly more on the horizon. All told, we were forty-one strong and counting.

The real kicker? Against all odds, we actually enjoy each other’s company. Even here, at Mom’s wake, muffled giggles bubbled up now and then – something I’m sure she loved.

After the wake, we all gathered at my brother Steven’s house seeking comfort in each other’s presence. As we clustered around the kitchen and spilled into adjacent rooms, nibbling on comfort food and sipping drinks, my niece Olivia’s voice cut through the gentle hum of conversation.

“You know what I loved about Nanny?” she began, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Despite having so many grandchildren, she made every one of us feel special. She’d get so excited to talk to each of us, really pumping us up. She almost made me feel like a celebrity!”

Olivia’s eyes swept across the room, landing on my siblings and me.

“And she passed that beautiful trait down to all of you,” she continued, her voice thick with emotion. “You all do the same. I have a distinct relationship with each of you, and it feels unlike anyone else’s. You all make me feel as special as Nan did.”

The room fell silent, save for the soft sniffles as more eyes brimmed with tears.

If that’s not an impact, I don’t know what is.

As the evening wore on, I pondered the ripple effect of my parents’ love. It wasn’t just confined to our sprawling family tree. Every person I’ve helped, every friend I’ve supported – it all traces back to the lessons they taught us. And it doesn’t stop there. It keeps trickling outward, touching lives we may never even know about.

“And they told two friends, and they told two friends…” (Am I dating myself with that reference? Probably.)

The sheer scope of it all? Mind-blowing, honestly. Mom and Dad’s legacy lives on, not just in us but in every life we touch. Now, that’s a family tree with roots that run deep and branches that reach far and wide.

So, Mom, as we painfully learn to live here without you in your favorite chair, I hope you can see the massive shift you created in this world. You certainly have a better vantage point than we do.

As Cheryl said at the end of the remembrance speech, we will carry on your spirit by continuing your daily goodnight texts, setting up more bird feeders, only adopting rescue animals (adopt, don’t shop!), and encouraging others to do the same.

And as Steve reminded us that night at his house, no one really dies until you stop talking about them. Suffice it to say, with a family this big and your even bigger impact on so many, your spirit will live to be a million years old.

Good night, God bless you, I love you, Mom.

Love,
Bo7 (that’s “Best of 7” cuz, well, I’m the best child in the family! — it’s a running family joke. 😂)