Story begins 1950's Mount Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago.. lots of kids and cousins and Aunts and uncles and Granparents, family all around ! The sixties arrived, a couple more kids and family began to change, evolve and transition to new opportunities, very far away. So we adjusted and changed and grew; our extended family was farther away, but Grandma Mary always found us via bus! The love of family is never far away.. Dad was the rock, Mom the glue that kept the foundation together through life's day to day joys and trials. We saw our first wedding and child of the next generation. The 1980's saw more weddings and babies welcomed to our family but illness to Mom, the glue.. Dad provided boundless courage and support as he faced the trials of Mom's illness always with faith in God to see them through a day, a month, a year at a time. The 1990's saw more sibling weddings and children growing and achieving through their school years, lots of visits to Grandpa and Grandma, aunts and uncles. Mom's wish was to witness the turn of the century and so we did with a disco ball, black tie pot luck on South Street as we danced the night away surrounded by friends and family. Our Mom passed on May 5,2000. Our Dad continued to live and lived happily after he remarried Chic.. Eventually he again took on the role of courage as care giver to Chic through a difficult time having faith that God would guide his way each day. This brings the end of the story as Dad accepted his own cross of illness but always with hope and faith, not willing to die. He accepted the love of his family as he transitioned to Hospice and accepted the love of the care givers sent to help him. We are truly in their debt of service to Dad, as they prayed with him each day continuing his faith in God. Dad never wanted to let us down! His courageous Spirit will continue to live within us as we open our hearts with faith just like Dad, his whole life. So on the 18th anniversary of our beloved Mon's passing to eternal life, let us gather to celebrate two wonderful people who gave us life and a foundation of faith in God!