And we just keep growing!

Although I am a Raleigh native, my heart has always been in Grand Rapids, Michigan where my extended family lives. Growing up, we visited every summer. I got to see all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Swimming at Grand Haven beach was the best-lots of waves and no salt in your eyes! After I became a teenager, for some reason, we stopped going. I guess my family had life get in the way-college, marriages, babies. I felt like a part of me was missing. My favorite uncle to see was Jack Norman (Lentz). He was a previous firehouse chief and a fantastic cook! The women loved him at restaurants and boy, could he flirt, although he only had eyes for Aunt Mert. He passed away a few years ago and I was unable to attend his funeral. I should have just slapped that plane ticket on a credit card and called it a day, a moment I will never get back. More relatives have passed and others are growing older. Recently, our family acquired a third (yes third!) dog. He was being given away for free and I couldn't bear to think of what could happen to him. A quick picture to my husband and our family was the proud new owners of a 7 week old, blonde, lab/husky mix, named appropriately "Jack Norman." He is growing like a weed, loves to "talk" and make lots of mischief. Reminds me of someone I will always love and remember. He is my daily cardinal that I get to see every day and be whisked right back into that recliner sitting on Uncle Jack's lap. I think he would have liked him.