Someone once said that the only two reasons families get together are weddings and funerals. Unfortunately for us, this time it was a funeral. My oldest sister, Rose, lost her husband to cancer. Don Merkel was an amazing man, he was a highly decorated Army Ranger during Viet Nam, and when he came back he served his community as a police officer and eventually a Milpitas Police Dept. SWAT Team captain. He touched many people in his life. His funeral saw 50 plus people from 7 different states. I really respected the guy, he'll be missed.
On the happier side, I did get to spend a little time with my big sister and all her girls! I never get to spend time with my nieces or her. So that was great fun. Then Lynne and I took the rental car up to Sedona and Flagstaff for a day. Just to see the sights and have a little bit of a white Xmas!