Lovely! I didn’t know my grandparents either. I have a very vague memory of my mom’s father, and his second wife. My mom’s mother died before I was born. I have a photo of my dad’s father and me, but only one. Everyone died well before I was old enough to truly remember them.
My dad had a sister and a brother. I didn’t see much of that aunt, and her one son was closer to my dad’s age than mine. The other uncle and his wife weren’t able to have children, but we were very close to them. My uncle was nice, but somewhat distant, while my aunt was like a fairy godmother. I thought of her as my second mother, and I’m so grateful for the times I shared with her.
I hardly knew any of my cousins. My mother had six brothers so almost all (except the one) were from her side of the family. And none of them lived nearby. I stay in touch with one cousin in Texas, and that’s it.
When I read about or hear from friends how much time they spent with cousins and grandparents, I’ll admit I’m a bit envious. But it is what it is, and I really have no complaints. I have a wonderful husband, who still treats me the way he did when we were dating over 36 years ago. (That’s not to say we don’t ever argue!) And, I’m closer than ever to the girlfriend I’ve known since we were 10. We are the “sisters” we had the good fortune to choose.
Still, I love reading about your family, and your thoughts about people, in general. I refer to you often, and encourage others to read your writings. You are a genuinely good person, and you’ve added a lot to the conversation on what it means to be that.
Once again, you win the comment of the week award. This comment was lovely and so heartfelt. Did you know that my daughter has been lobbying me to move back east? It is an interesting pitch on her part. For my daughter, sandy beaches and ocean views and palm trees are blasé. She loves the feel and character of New York and D.C. My wife and I feel being ten to fifteen minutes away from the ocean is relative bliss and that we are blessed.
Generations bring different perspectives to life. Neither my wife nor I would move back to the east coast at this point in our lives. As I write those words, I recognize how my life choices contribute to the dispersion of my old southern family. The Sound and the Fury more or less.
My family is very much a product of our past, although some are more mindful of ancestral pietas than others. Our decision to move to San Diego in 1992 exposed our children to much abundance and beauty, the San Diego Zoo (walking distance), Sea World, the Wild Animal Park, Christmas in Palm Springs, autumn trips to the back county in Julian. Those benefits came with loss of cousins all around like I knew growing up.
In one hundred years' time, San Diego will be remembered as a rupture in our Twyman experience. I believe the memory will be a net gain as we left a small corner of Chesterfield County, Virginia for the larger world of La Jolla California, the desert for road trips and sights of Mexico in the distance.
Blackness was never about oppression for us until the rise of dogma and slogan words.
Thank you, and I admire your spirit of adventure! Enjoy yourselves, and it sounds like you are. You’re young enough that you can move closer to your daughter later, if that’s what either of you want. Otherwise, I’m betting you have plenty of friends. Sometimes we have to make or remake our families, and good friends can be that family.
We don’t have children, and we’re in our early 70s. We’re as prepared as we can be at this point, and still very independent (thank goodness). I have brothers and a couple of nieces not too far away, but I’m not counting on them for anything. Right now, we’re enjoying life. It seems like it’s going way too fast, but I’m sure it’s the same for everyone, especially as they get older. But, that means spring will be here soon! 😉
Lovely! I didn’t know my grandparents either. I have a very vague memory of my mom’s father, and his second wife. My mom’s mother died before I was born. I have a photo of my dad’s father and me, but only one. Everyone died well before I was old enough to truly remember them.
My dad had a sister and a brother. I didn’t see much of that aunt, and her one son was closer to my dad’s age than mine. The other uncle and his wife weren’t able to have children, but we were very close to them. My uncle was nice, but somewhat distant, while my aunt was like a fairy godmother. I thought of her as my second mother, and I’m so grateful for the times I shared with her.
I hardly knew any of my cousins. My mother had six brothers so almost all (except the one) were from her side of the family. And none of them lived nearby. I stay in touch with one cousin in Texas, and that’s it.
When I read about or hear from friends how much time they spent with cousins and grandparents, I’ll admit I’m a bit envious. But it is what it is, and I really have no complaints. I have a wonderful husband, who still treats me the way he did when we were dating over 36 years ago. (That’s not to say we don’t ever argue!) And, I’m closer than ever to the girlfriend I’ve known since we were 10. We are the “sisters” we had the good fortune to choose.
Still, I love reading about your family, and your thoughts about people, in general. I refer to you often, and encourage others to read your writings. You are a genuinely good person, and you’ve added a lot to the conversation on what it means to be that.
Once again, you win the comment of the week award. This comment was lovely and so heartfelt. Did you know that my daughter has been lobbying me to move back east? It is an interesting pitch on her part. For my daughter, sandy beaches and ocean views and palm trees are blasé. She loves the feel and character of New York and D.C. My wife and I feel being ten to fifteen minutes away from the ocean is relative bliss and that we are blessed.
Generations bring different perspectives to life. Neither my wife nor I would move back to the east coast at this point in our lives. As I write those words, I recognize how my life choices contribute to the dispersion of my old southern family. The Sound and the Fury more or less.
My family is very much a product of our past, although some are more mindful of ancestral pietas than others. Our decision to move to San Diego in 1992 exposed our children to much abundance and beauty, the San Diego Zoo (walking distance), Sea World, the Wild Animal Park, Christmas in Palm Springs, autumn trips to the back county in Julian. Those benefits came with loss of cousins all around like I knew growing up.
In one hundred years' time, San Diego will be remembered as a rupture in our Twyman experience. I believe the memory will be a net gain as we left a small corner of Chesterfield County, Virginia for the larger world of La Jolla California, the desert for road trips and sights of Mexico in the distance.
Blackness was never about oppression for us until the rise of dogma and slogan words.
Thank you, and I admire your spirit of adventure! Enjoy yourselves, and it sounds like you are. You’re young enough that you can move closer to your daughter later, if that’s what either of you want. Otherwise, I’m betting you have plenty of friends. Sometimes we have to make or remake our families, and good friends can be that family.
We don’t have children, and we’re in our early 70s. We’re as prepared as we can be at this point, and still very independent (thank goodness). I have brothers and a couple of nieces not too far away, but I’m not counting on them for anything. Right now, we’re enjoying life. It seems like it’s going way too fast, but I’m sure it’s the same for everyone, especially as they get older. But, that means spring will be here soon! 😉