Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. It was a beautiful historic old hotel in downtown.

This was our room. It was HUGE!! There was a letter stating we were the first to stay in it since a recent renovation!
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The view from our room!

Uncle Clyde and his family. L to R
John, Scott, Uncle Clyde & Kevin
Nancy in the center. Nancy & John are our 1st cousins.
Kevin & Scott belong to John.



The Stribling girls with their Uncle Clyde. Uncle Clyde is Mama's brother.


Alice, John, Pam & Nancy...they were quite a group growing up! I love to hear them tell stories about all the adventures they shared. Yes, John, you were Grandma's favorite!
Arlington National Cemetery is a breath taking place for many reasons. I don't know if you can tell from this pic....there are Christmas wreaths propped on every tombstone. I literally gasped when I saw this sight. Arlington is a piece of American history everyone should visit.

An Air Force Honor Guard carrying Aunt Nell to the gravesite. Aunt Nell was an Arlington Lady when they were stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Since Uncle Clyde was in the Air Force, she would represent the Secretary of the Air Force and extend his condolences to the grieving family.


While our trip had moments of extreme sadness because our family has lost another important part of our family tree, it was also filled with renewed relationships, times of hysterical laughter at the memories we shared, and love that nothing can change. Aunt Nell loved to gather as a family and it is my understanding she left "mandates" in her will we were to continue to gather. If you knew her at all, you will understand we will do this, because she was a force to be reckoned with! Aunt Nell was one of those people who could accomplish the impossible. She had a lot of spunk! Once you met her, you never forgot her. I could tell you story upon story about her interesting childhood & the incredible adventures she and Uncle Clyde shared during their military service. But, the most important thing is this....In the midst of great sorrow, we are encouraged with the hope and knowledge this was not a final goodbye...but rather, "I'll see you soon".

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