Riley's Siblings - Family

These two are siblings.  This photo is of Riley and his younger sister, Isabella, when they were younger.  Same dad, different mom.  They also have an older brother and sister, Darian and Elaina (same dad, different mom).  So Riley has 2 brothers and 2 sisters with him smack in the middle.  We will see them all at the graduation party for Brady.  We decided years ago, for the sake of the kids, to be a big family.  This even includes Riley's dad.  

Grief hit us hard when Elaina (below) committed suicide in February 2021.  We've needed each other for the good times and the bad. 

The next summer, Riley graduated after she passed.  She was to attend the graduation, and she might have.  She loved dragonflies,  and a big dragonfly landed on Riley's papers he was holding as he sat in his chair, on the football field at his high school graduation.  Even Riley, who usually doesn't believe in signs or symbols couldn't help admit he felt his sister's presence was there with him that day.  He didn't shoo the dragonfly away, but just sat there enjoying the moment.  

Family is so important.  These people connect us because of Riley.  But to us, even though they aren't blood (except Riley) we've adopted.