These are My People & Pics from the Trip

Pics from the Trip
Well, we made it home! The train was on time and we arrived to a very cool and breezy Longview, Texas this morning. The trip back was so much better the the trip up to Chicago. This time we were on the second floor of the car and in the middle rather than on top of the wheels. We really did not feel the bumps near as much. And bonus, we were right down from the dining car.

Here are some pictures from the train...

Emily playing at the train staion

Here's our train

Ready to Board

Taking in the scenery in the dining car

St. Louis Arch

Chicago River

A window seat

Are we there yet?

Emily's bed under the window

Our room on the way up

Captial building of either Indiana or Missouri?

Emily watching Clifford or Curious George

Jolliet Station

Joliet Station

Emily is so over this trip

Our second Room

Emily rallied

Mommy and Emily

Daddy and Emily

Whew! That was a great trip. We were able to say goodbye to my uncle and have an adventure on the rails. The best part of the trip was getting to see my family. Here are the faces of my wonderful family. We don't get to see each other nearly enough, but they are so much a part of who I am. Their laughter, and their smiles are the sights and sounds of my memories. It was a joy to see them all and I hope we see each other again soon.

Emily and her Pop-Pop

My Uncle Mark

Us at lunch after the service

My Parents

Luann, Carol and Jeff

Uncle Mike and Sherry

Fr.Left-Gretchen, Phillip (cousin), Aunt Jamie

Fr. Left-Sister Eve, Cousins Gina and Jenny

Cousin Barbara

Aunt Barb, her husband Uncle Jim was playing with the grandbaby

My aunt Carol (Marty's Wife) shared some profound words at the memorial service. She shared that my uncle was born with a heart defect and was not supposed to live to see his teens, but he lived for 67 years. Marty lived his life to the fullest every day. He had fun, and he helped those in need. What a joy it was to see the church so full of people who had been touched by the life of Marty Russo. My aunt said that she woke up last Friday as a wife and went to bed a widow. She reminded us all to love the living while they are here and don't wait to tell someone you love them.

Uncle Marty's memorial card had a wonderful sentiment on it, here it is below

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing
times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun
of happy memories that I
leave when life is done.

Uncle Marty certainly leaves an echo of love and laughter. We will always smile when we think of him. Thanks for the kind words and prayers and remember, whether you are family or friend, I thank God for you and I love you!

Till next time.