As we plan our vacation, one of the things I'm most looking forward to is seeing my cousin Wendy. Wendy was like the little sister I never had, but always wanted. During the summer and almost all school holidays we were at each other's homes. Sometimes her parents would send her and her sister up to stay for three weeks at a time and sometimes I would be at their home for weeks at a time.
Wendy is four years younger than I am and there were three girl cousins that were born between my birth and hers. Wendy and I were bridesmaids in each other's weddings and talked about having our kids grow up together like we did. But life got in the way and that didn't happen.
Dylan helping David into the pool
She is the busy mother of three children and I am the mother of one busy son. The last time we were together was when David was just over a year old. But, our kids did play wonderfully together. Her son Dylan loved to chase David around and David loved giggling the whole time he was being chased. Her daughter Hailey is just three months younger than David and was just learning to walk, so she would crawl through all the chasing. Dylan and David played in the baby pool like the best of friends with Dylan helping David whenever he wanted to climb in or out. Wendy's youngest child had not even been born yet!
Dylan and David are now teenagers with Hailey to reach that grand milestone this month. Where does the time go? I pulled out the photo album with pictures from our last visit and we all had a good time remembering. David can't wait to see them again and hear their accents. I called Wendy and we have arranged to meet at Dollywood next week.
I am hoping my other cousin Paula will be able to go also. Paula never had any children of her own but has always been a favorite aunt to all the children. She has a deep love for children and has worked for many years as a secretary at the local elementary school.
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3 comments:
These are fascinating stories.
I could kick myself for not asking questions of my grandmother about her early life. I was a snot-nosed kid with my whole life ahead of me and I didn't want to get bogged down with old people's stories. And it never occurred to her to write anything down because she thought her life was so ordinary.
We have a great advantage today with all of our technology to record events but it is those precious memories in the older generation's mind that we need to mine.
I loved the story about the switches in front of the man's house. Wow, if only that would work on all of the dead-beat dads of this country. Don't get me started on that soap box.
David was SO cute -- well he still is but more handsome now.
I wrote a long message to you yesterday only to have Blogger tell me they weren't transmitting anything right then. Sorry.
When you described the shin-high hole in your wall I could see Roger having fun hopping through it.
Rita
I hope you have a wonderful time! How great to be so close to your cousin! The pictures are so darling!
:0) Sharon
Rita,
Like you I wish I had asked my great-grandmother about her memories. I was lucky that I had the chance to know her, but as I was still in elementary school our family history bug had not hit me yet.
When I did ask people like my grandparents they weren't as forth coming in their answers. Somepeople like Russ are story tellers and others just don't see the point in looking backwards.
Sharon, thank you. I'm sure we will have a good time. We are taking our portable DVD player for in the car and the hotel in case there are the thunderstorms they are calling for.
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