Greetings all!
My husband and I had a marvelous trip to Vermont to visit his elderly cousins so I have been absent a while from the blog world. I've missed you all! But it was my birthday and we decided to celebrate by visiting these dear relatives, the last of our relatives in the previous generation. It is a weird thing to think of only a few cousins standing between you and whatever comes next. We tried to soak up their wisdom, their love, their jokes, their stories, so rich now after 90 years of life. We visited old homesteads, old cemetaries, old birthplaces...and my favorite, the old family farm still inhabited by cows and horses and dogs and kitties and green forested hills and filled with a wonderful new young family.
The older I get, the more I appreciate family. The more I appreciate those who came before us. The more I appreciate their struggles and contributions and teachings. Cousin M worked her way through college in the war years working 7 days a week as well as going to college at Middlebury. She became a well known dietician and worked for big corporations like Stouffers and others before moving back "home" to take care of her Mother. Cousin E was in the invasion of Normany and was in combat for 2 straight years without a break. His wife, a lovely British woman, (yes, they met during the war), worked as a radar specialist for the women's auxilary of the British air force. They each have an amazing personal story.
But so do you. Each of us does has amazing personal stories and I have always been fascinated by them. What makes each person the way they are? What causes them to think in a certain way? Why are some people such optimists in spite of huge odds while others live in fear and uncertainty? It is such an interesting subject. What do you think? Is there anything about YOUR STORY you would like to share here?
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Wonderful post!! I have reached that same kind of place. I am the youngest of my generation in the extended family. It is so odd at 48 to realize my sisters are approaching 60??!! Scary really!!! I'm almost 50!! I often wish I had more contact with family beyond my sisters and I. So much is lost to us history wise.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words.
Namaste, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWell, I am already in my 60's, my older sister is turning 70 this year, and I don't know how this happened! I swear, until I try to move like a 30 year old, I don't feel a bit older than that! Family is so precious. Too bad we don't really appreciate that fact until we are older! Thanks for checking in , Sarah! xo
What a fabulous family history you have. Both of my grandfathers passed away before I got a chance to meet them. My disfunctional family history seems to have extended quite far back in the past...my grandmother got pregnant while working as household help for a family and someone else, not the baby's father, married her to keep it all 'legitimate'. Scandalous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful thoughts that resonate with me Diantha.
ReplyDeleteLife stories, whether spectacular or simple, are always interesting, instructional and inspiring.
Here's a brief whiff of mine:
Born to parents who were voracious readers, I learned to love books and reading and writing early. By seven I knew I wanted to be a writer. The vision of my face on a book cover with stories of my life inside has not yet materialized.
After following other paths, God created an uneasiness within to I seek a more creative life. I found my way back to my true self and my passion for books, reading and writing. In bits and pieces, my life stories make their way into my writing - essays, features, columns, blogs, emails and handwritten letters.
As I pursue my passion and tell my story I pray that others will be inspired not only to live well and fully, but to tell their stories with pride and passion.
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog. which led me here. I love what you're doing. Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh shoot, Carolynn, what is a family without a few skeletons in the closet! Often they are the most interesting! HA! My family has a few skeletons shaking and baking in the closet....makes life interesting! I think all families are dysfunctional in one way or another, it just depends on the DEGREE of dysfunction as to whether or not it shows in the community! Bless you and your family....all of them!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, you are VERY inspiring! I, too, think people's stories are so important! I once was inspired to write people's stories down but the group I tried to do it with did not pan out and I gave the project up, but that in no way reflects the loss of passion about telling people's stories. Your own story is so inspiring, helping us realize we CAN become what we desire for ourselves. Oh Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing this part of your story. I'm sure you are inspiring others to reflect on their own stories with "pride and passion"! xo
ReplyDeleteLovely post. My childhood was very hard, but I know my mom did her best and as I get older I realize that more and more.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, you bring up a good point. I do believe most people do the best they can given their own limitations. I too had a hard childhood, and finally realized my parents did too, and just didn't know better. I'm sure my own children could say the same thing about my husband and me. And so it goes. I hope my husband and I were able to lift things up for our kids, and that they will be able to lift things up even higher for their kids.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Annie, your bowl is TERRIFIC! xo
Laura Rose, your comment somehow ended up in my spam filter so I apologize for it's not being here sooner but I thank you for YOUR work as well. We are indeed blessed to find an outlet for our hearts to follow! Blessings always....
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