by Carol A.
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| What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family. Mother Teresa |
From time to time here at FOL, we write gratitude blogs, and I am inspired to write one today. "They" say that if you have your health, you have it all. Working in a medical field, I see that as the truth every day. Longevity is a blessing in my family. I knew my great, great grandmother. I can remember sitting on the edge of her bed and holding her hand to let her know I was there (as if an 8 year old could enter quietly enough that she wouldn't know) because she had lost her sight.
I had all four of my grandparents until I was 17 years old. And all living close by. Gram was an art student in her youth, and her house was decorated with miniature Rodin statues, and lovely paintings. Gramp was a kind and charming man. I can see why he was a great salesman! He outlived them all and came to Canada with us in the summers. He wouldn't quit - helping to hammer on a new roof well into his late 80s (when he also got remarried, BTW)! Nonnie was kind and gentle - I remember her picking up my new Paul Simon album one Christmas, and saying "Is 'Love Me Like A Rock' one of your favorite songs, dear?" Grampa kept a daily diary. Every holiday, they were all there, sharing our turkey.
And my one aunt and uncle, and my only two cousins (I didn't say we were a big family - just a healthy one!) lived within walking distance. She was a nurse when she was young, but became an artist later in her life. My country home looks a lot like hers. My uncle is warm, and smart, and very funny! I loved to sit next to him. (still do!)
And I am smack in the middle of two wonderful, supportive, loving and fun sisters - nothing like it!
My parents just came for a visit at my house, on their way from Florida to Canada, where they summer. Mom turned 91 this May. She gave me my love of stories and learning. Her favorite expression? - "look it up!!" Dad will be 92 in August. He got me interested in photography! And by the way, when did my kids get this old????
I am so appreciative of the start they all gave me in life. So lucky to have been loved by so many. So grateful for their health, which allowed my children to know them. So grateful for the gift of time with them.
blessings, blessings, blessings......
12 comments:
Your parents look pretty amazing for being in their 90's, and still traveling how awesome! I want to be a 90 year old like that :)
Ahhh, beautiful! Great start to the week.
Family is the most important thing in life. You are blessed to have such a close and loving one. Enjoy!
Such a blessing, Carol! I can't say my family is particularly long-lived but I feel blessed every day that I still have my 86-year-old mother and treasure every minute I can spend with her. Love hearing all of your memories -- precious to have an to hand down to your children.
Your parents look terrific! How blessed are you to have them and such great memories. I appreciate my time with my 76 year old parents so much. Thanks for sharing this Carol.
thank you for sharing your beautiful family memories with us all. so glad you hear you enjoy such a special relationship with your family. it's truly a blessing.
So timely! We just returned from a family reunion to celebrate my mother's 85th birthday. Everybody was there except my son-in-law so it was a grand time. During the weekend, my mother remarked to me, "What a blessing it is that we all get along so well!" And it is ... as long as we don't talk about politics. :-D
Such a wonderful family!
Such a beautiful post Carol, and it makes me miss my mom which I haven't seen in two years so much!
what an inspiring and happy story you told us. : )
Thank you all for the kind comments. Sometimes I wonder if a post is too personal, but then I get such a wholehearted response from you all that it warms my heart. Thanks for sharing in my gratitude, and now go and spill some love on your family!
The last time our family all got together (for the most part) was a family reunion about a month before 9/11. My mom was 83 then and lived another 10 years (her mother lived to be 92). Lots of relatives loved seeing her, sat around talking with her and let her relive the memories of past years...I only knew one grandmother (my mom's mom) and she lived with us most of her life. Thanks for posting about family...I hope to join my "brood" again in a few years out in Denver!
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