GolfHos

That really is the one of the best ways to describe it - wow!

Yesterday, my great aunt (my grandmother's twin sister) Clara, and her husband celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.  It was so special.  Clara is recovering from a stroke and her speech still needs to come a long way, and Bob has Alzheimer's.  At 87 and 92, they're doing well.  To see the sisters together, how they greeted each other, and how they obviously cared for each other, trying to communicate even through Clara's speech impediment (which really emphasizes their Italian heritage) and my grandmother's memory loss was a very touching site.  And Great-Uncle Bob was enjoying himself to, despite how he was obviously tired.

This past June my grandparents would have also celebrated 65 years of of marriage.  If Grandpa was still living, he would be 90 now - and I miss him dearly. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/Minnesnowta_Girl/Smileys/cry.gif) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/Minnesnowta_Girl/Smileys/cry.gif)

It was a wonderful time of celebration.  It was nice to see many relatives that I usually don't.  It was interesting to note how Clara and Bob's "kids" look so much like my dad's siblings.  It was great to talk to many great-aunts and uncles that I haven't seen since the big family reunion 3 years ago.  Oh, yes, and one last thing.  It was so nice to be talking eye-to-eye with them instead of having to look up at everyone.  :D

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Why are siblings of your grandparents called "great aunts" and "great uncles" instead of "grand aunts" and "grand uncles"?

BTW, did you know that the cousins of your parents should also be referred to as your "cousins" (i.e. "2nd cousins") rather than "aunts" and "uncles"?
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'round here, we just call 'em all "kinfolk." That way we don't have to sort out who's who.

Old people rule.  I love talking to old people.  I imagine them looking back at me thinking, "you don't know squat, junior".   ;D

Maybe for the same reason great-grandparents aren't called grand-grandparents.

Yes, I did know that.  And, no, I didn't refer to my 2nd cousins as great-aunts and uncles.  Grandma and Great-Aunt Clara are two of 13 siblings.  Some of their other siblings were there as well. 8)  Some of my 2nd and 3rd cousins were there as well, though.

That works, too.  But it's kinda nice knowing how you're related to people.  I've thought about working on family genealogy sometime.

lol.  I think they rule, too.  And I feel so bad for the kids I know that don't want to take the time to go see their grandparent 'cause they'd rather see their friends.  Right now, they don't know what they're missing, but they might realize it someday - hopefully, before it's too late to spend time with them. 

Nice story Eagle.  It is good to hear how much respect and appreciation you have for your granparents, etc.


My favorite grandmother, my mom's mom, passed away in 2001 from cancer.  But my father's parents are still alive and somewhat sane.

Thanks. :)

It's hard to lose a loved one.  I've mentioned how I did so much when with my dad during my childhood years, and much of the things I did with him my grandfather was with us as well.  We were very close.  My mom's dad passed away before I was born, so my father's father was even more special to me in that sense, too.  Now I just have my grandmothers.  One is physically well but mentally weak, and one is mentally well but weak physically.  Both, however, are very special.

I'm sorry to hear of how you lost your grandma.  She must have been a very dear lady.  You're very blessed to have both of your father's parents still living, time that you can cherish being with them and to remember and think upon when the day comes that you don't.

Very appropriate words today as my grandparents are coming over tonight to see Van.  He is walking now so everyone's excited.  He's ten months old and practically running around.  I'll reflect on this post while my grandmother tells me the exact same stories she told me last time she was over. ;D  But at least they are healthy enough to drive over here (4 miles away) and see their only and first grandson. 

lol :D

How nice that they're so close to you!  Van's running around at  10 months!  Wow!  Physical strength must be one of his specialties. 

Maybe you and your parents have already realized this, but it's also nice that your father can see his name-sake.  My dad's the youngest of 5, and all his sisters were done having kids by the time we were born.  One day my mom mentioned to my grandpa how Kev is his name-sake.  He replied that yes, he is and also that he has many grandsons.  My mom was a bit more specific mentioning that all the other grandsons share their father's last name, and that Kev's carrying on his last name.  Not that my mom was trying to make Kev sound more special or anything like that, but it's always nice to know that the family name will carry on.  Now there is Garrett, too, (who's name after my great-grandfather), but Grandpa was past this earthly life by the time he was born.

My mom's mom will repeat a few things every once-in-a-while we see her.  I just look at it as something that's important to her and that she wants to tell it to the people who are important to her.  Well, I guess it's like that for my dad's mom too, just on a different scale.  We hear things like "What's are we planning for supper?" a lot, sometimes even before breakfast.  But if you look past the daily, almost trivial seeming question, you see a person who cares and wants to make sure you're physically nourished. 

Hope you had a fantastic time!   8)

Yeah, that is similar to your motto, isn't it? ;) :D

Sort of. ;)

#1 Run Defense?  [sm_scratch]

No, not that one.  That's one of his football motto things.  For relatives, it goes something like "They're related to us... somehow." 

lol 8)

Uh, I've never said that. :P

You mean, you don't know that they're even related to us. :o

;)



No, of course you didn't say that.  But what if I just mentioned names without the given titles?

Yup Van is a wild man.  Not really interested in naps either.

Thanks it was a nice visit.  They were very excited to see him walking.  He was standing at the front door when they arrived waving at them which was a nice touch.  They didn't stay too long as dinner was almost ready. 

It is pretty cool that all four generations can be in the same room together.  Sr (my grandpa), Jr (My Dad), Me (I'm the III, we all have the same first, middle and last name) and then Van.  They did tell us we didn't have to use the family name and call him the IV which I didn't really want to do.  I wanted him to have his own unique name since he already shares our last name. 

That is so neat and wai kewl, too!  Never met my great-grandparents, so I think that's extra special, too.  I'm sure your parents enjoyed seeing that little Van was there waiting for their arrival.