I hadn't seen Ross for many years. In fact, my wife, Leti, and our son, Derek, had never met him in person. When we finally convinced him to come to AZ to visit, we were overjoyed and began to make preparations immediately because we wanted him to enjoy every minute of his visit with us. After all, it had been 17 years since we had moved away from Delta.

As he got off the plane timidly, I saw his face light up, as did mine, when we finally made eye contact. It was as if we had never been apart. My wife felt the same way and quickly reached out to welcome him. In turn, Derek was delighted as he watched all of us pat each other on the back, hug, smile, stand back to take it all in, then start it all over again as we remembered the times we had spent together as cousins. It was a joyous celebration of the good ol' days that I had almost forgotten, but was immediately drawn back into as soon as I saw his captivating smile. It was like we were still there, simply enjoying the sounds, smells, and feelings that I had felt back then. I was that young boy again with my older cousin to look up to while delighting in the dirt track races. I was that same young child again looking up to my older cousin while we reveled in the sights, sounds, and smells that were "Summers at the Cabin" on the Susquehanna River in the 60s. Then I was taken back to the early 70s when Ross and "his girl" would stop by occasionally to say hi to our family in Delta. What awesome memories those were!

We made many new memories as well with my wife and son which I will never forget. We listened to Ross's choice of music, then he'd listen to ours; both of us expressing our likes and dislikes of the other's choices. We enjoyed the tastes, smells, and textures of Mexican cooking that I'd become accustomed to, but they were new to Ross. We enjoyed the all-too-familiar smells and tastes of Ma's Pennsylvania cooking which only opened the doors and senses to more joyful memories. What awesome memories they were as well!

We've shared many more memories with Ross and extended family over the years, both here in AZ and of course, in Pennsylvania. What a beautiful home and life he had made for himself. And what a beautiful home and life we'd made for ourselves in what seemed, at one time, countless hours and thousands of miles apart. And I say "at one time" because it didn't seem that way for long once we were reunited again. Which brought me back to my roots and family that I hadn't realized I was missing so much until then.

We will miss you, our cousin, friend, confidante, and role model. But we will always remember those wonderful times, especially in times of solace. You have given a different meaning to our lives and we will always treasure those moments. 

"Follow your heart wherever it takes you and be happy." That is what our Ross was all about. We love you Ross.

Bless our family and friends, both near and far,

The AZ Dinsmores