What an amazing weekend, full of family and traditions. We began our weekend on Friday night with a surprise visit with Donnie's sister Elaine who came in to celebrate Carnivale on Saturday with the Vaudo side of Donnie's family.
Carnivale...a tradition that is over 80years old. It all began with Donnie's grandfather and grandmother, celebrating the onset of the Lenten season with a feast of homemade raviolis. They began this tradition with their oldest daughter Josephine, and then with their daughter Regina, who was born 9 years later. The tradition continued and now more than 80 years later, Donnie's 101year old grandmother, still resides at the head of the table as her family of 2 daughters, multiplied into: 9 grandchildren, (and their spouses) 20 great grandchildren,(and their spouses) and 8 great great grandchildren . Some years there can be as many as 65 people surrounding the table, eating homemade raviolis, meatballs, sausage, and so much more. (This year there was 523 raviolis made, 160 meatballs and 100 homemade sausages!) We gather together eating, socializing and singing. Donnie's Auntie Jo, many years ago, wrote a song to the tune of "MacNamaras" band, and each year in the song she recaps the years events. We all get kazoos, and the chorus of the song is: "Ohhh Raviolis, Meatballs and Sausage Holy Smokes, Carnivale a'skunzalata (spelling is probably way off, but thats how it is pronounced", and Grampa's donkey joke, Ohhh we eat a lot and we laugh a lot, and do everything that we can....a credit to Old Carnivale is Gradnpa Vaudo's Clan"
What an amazing tradition, that all began with two people, their two daughters, and a family that is still growing today, more than 80 years later. May the tradition continue on through the generations.
On Sunday, we celebrated a not as old as 80 year old tradition, but a tradition none the less. St. Patricks Day, Dougherty style! My parents make many pots of Corned Beef and Cabbage, and my siblings who live in Massachusetts, their children, and other friends who are considered family, all gather to feast on this amazing boiled dinner, wear our Green proudly, and in true Irish fashion, we are loud and boisterous.But the louder we are, the richer we are in health and love. It's a younger tradition than Carnivale, but both traditions bring to my children a Heritage, that is strong and proud.
I feel so blessed to be able to share these traditions with my husband, our five children, our daughter-in-law, and most importantly, my parents, Donnie's parents and Great Grandma. How truly fortunate we are to have our elders, still with us and so fully present in our lives. As I turn 50 years old this coming Wednesday, I realize, that I too, am now an "Elder" (not that I feel like an elder!!) but I feel the responsibility to carry on these family traditions and to continue to keep our children's Heritages alive and strong!
No Matter what your heritage is, don't ever take it for granted. Embrace it, cherish it, pass on the history of your families, and continue to create new and celebrate old Traditions....It is the foundation of who we are.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Rabbit Rabbit March 1st
Is it really March 1st today? Where have the months gone? In 19 days from now, I will turn the Golden Age of 50. Golden age = Gold. Gold = Being Rich. I am a wealthy woman. I have riches in abundance. My riches are not the monetary kind, but the kind that make turning 50 feel like I have won a lottery. I have my health, I have my parents, I have 5 amazing siblings with wonderful spouses and children, I have my in-laws and in-law siblings and families, I have my friends, I have my high school sweetheart, who after almost 30 years is still the love of my life, and I have five healthy children, and a beautiful daughter in-law. What more could a woman ask for?
If I had to live these past 50 years over again, I would not change a thing. Good times, Bad times, Highs and Lows....God has been good to me. My life is not perfect. Is any one's life ever really perfect? I think if we just take one day at a time, and appreciate the gifts we are given, and love unconditionally, then life can be as close to perfect as one can get.
When I think of my husband Donnie's grandmother at 101years old, I know that she lives her life this way, and everyday is a gift to her and she never takes life for granted. If I am blessed to live as long as Great Grandma, and I embrace life and the loved ones around me the way she does then I will be beyond rich. But even if I don't see 101 years, I will continue to be golden, because each day if full of the riches that surround us, and I am grateful to be turning 50, and having so much in my life to be thankful for.
Thank you Mom and Dad for the gift of life, Thank you siblings and your families for being a part of my life,Thank you in-laws, Thank you friends, Thank you kids for enriching my life, and Thank you Donnie for being the Love of my Life. I embrace turning the Golden Age of 50.
If I had to live these past 50 years over again, I would not change a thing. Good times, Bad times, Highs and Lows....God has been good to me. My life is not perfect. Is any one's life ever really perfect? I think if we just take one day at a time, and appreciate the gifts we are given, and love unconditionally, then life can be as close to perfect as one can get.
When I think of my husband Donnie's grandmother at 101years old, I know that she lives her life this way, and everyday is a gift to her and she never takes life for granted. If I am blessed to live as long as Great Grandma, and I embrace life and the loved ones around me the way she does then I will be beyond rich. But even if I don't see 101 years, I will continue to be golden, because each day if full of the riches that surround us, and I am grateful to be turning 50, and having so much in my life to be thankful for.
Thank you Mom and Dad for the gift of life, Thank you siblings and your families for being a part of my life,Thank you in-laws, Thank you friends, Thank you kids for enriching my life, and Thank you Donnie for being the Love of my Life. I embrace turning the Golden Age of 50.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Will You Still Be Sending Me A Valentine.....
Happy Valentines Day. Today, I had the honor and privilege to perform at a Senior Center with my daughter Danielle and my friend Meryl. As the Residents were being wheeled in or coming in with their canes and walkers, Meryl, Danielle and I circled the room greeting our audience. We were going to do an hour show about "Love", with songs like, "Our Love is Here to Stay", Kiss Today Goodbye, Always True to You, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and many more. The residents took their seats, and prepared for us to entertain them. There was Mazie, who was 103, Matilda who has lived there for 5 years, a couple from NYC that now live here to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many more men and women.
One couple in particular touched my heart this Valentines Day. I did not learn their names, but none the less, they were a truly memorable couple. The husband came in shortly before the performance, and was a little frazzled, because he was waiting for his wife, and he wanted to make sure there was a spot for her wheelchair next to his seat. In this Senior home, some of the residents need full time nursing, and live on a different floor. This man's wife lived on that floor and he lived in the main building. He was frustrated and worried that she would miss the performance, because the staff was late in getting her dressed. Thankfully, she made it on time for the performance, and as she was wheeled in I saw in her husbands face, happiness and joy that she was there to sit by his side and enjoy the show. I looked over and they were holding hands throughout the entire performance. It was the best Valentine's Gift. Seeing their clasped hands and hearing them hum along with our songs, filled my heart with so much joy, and I could feel the love that radiated from this couple.
The couple have been married for 65 years, still holding hands, still each others Valentine,. and even though they live in separate parts of the Senior Home, and she speaks little and is confined to a wheelchair, their love was a shining beacon of what Marriage and Commitment is all about. I brought them some coffee, and cookies after the show, and I told them, that I hope I am as lucky as they are, and that me and my Valentine will still be holding hands when we are married 65 years.
Happy Valentines Day to my husband Donnie. Will you still be sending me a Valentine, Will you still be my Valentine 35 years from now? Let's hold hands, and celebrate not just Valentine's Day, but EVERYDAY and I hope as we get older, you will always make sure to have a seat for me, right next to you. XOXO
One couple in particular touched my heart this Valentines Day. I did not learn their names, but none the less, they were a truly memorable couple. The husband came in shortly before the performance, and was a little frazzled, because he was waiting for his wife, and he wanted to make sure there was a spot for her wheelchair next to his seat. In this Senior home, some of the residents need full time nursing, and live on a different floor. This man's wife lived on that floor and he lived in the main building. He was frustrated and worried that she would miss the performance, because the staff was late in getting her dressed. Thankfully, she made it on time for the performance, and as she was wheeled in I saw in her husbands face, happiness and joy that she was there to sit by his side and enjoy the show. I looked over and they were holding hands throughout the entire performance. It was the best Valentine's Gift. Seeing their clasped hands and hearing them hum along with our songs, filled my heart with so much joy, and I could feel the love that radiated from this couple.
The couple have been married for 65 years, still holding hands, still each others Valentine,. and even though they live in separate parts of the Senior Home, and she speaks little and is confined to a wheelchair, their love was a shining beacon of what Marriage and Commitment is all about. I brought them some coffee, and cookies after the show, and I told them, that I hope I am as lucky as they are, and that me and my Valentine will still be holding hands when we are married 65 years.
Happy Valentines Day to my husband Donnie. Will you still be sending me a Valentine, Will you still be my Valentine 35 years from now? Let's hold hands, and celebrate not just Valentine's Day, but EVERYDAY and I hope as we get older, you will always make sure to have a seat for me, right next to you. XOXO
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Twenty-One
Today, my fourth child Mary Rose turned 21. Three years from now Jane my youngest will turn 21. To the five of my children turning 21 meant that they were now legal to drink. To me, turning 21 was one of the best years of my life, and it wasn't because I became legal to drink (legal drinking age in my day was 20). It was the year I became a mother for the first time. It was when life changed for both Donnie and me, in ways that we never even could have imagined. 21 to me, was the beginning of an amazing sense of joy, and a journey, that I have never regretted taking. Donnie and I chose to get married young, and we chose to start our family young, this path we chose has been the right one for us, and for me it was the best choice I ever made.
As I celebrated Mary's 21st Birthday tonight, I saw her smiling face, and realized that even though she and I chose different paths to take at the age of 21, her path would be bringing joy and healing into so many peoples lives. She is in her third year at Boston College studying to be either a Nurse Practitioner or a Midwife, but whichever she chooses to be, she will be amazing at it, because she has a loving and giving nature, a love of learning, and she is a true nurturer.
Danielle, Michael and Ryan, have seen their 21st birthdays come and go, but they are all on their own personal paths of life, and I am proud of each of them for following their hearts and dreams. Jane is not far behind them, and she too will choose the path that is right for her, one that will follow her heart and dreams.
I know the kids sometimes think that I wished that they would all be married at 20 and having babies young like me and their Dad, but that couldn't be further from what my real wish is and has always been. I have been living my dream since the day I met their father, married him and had these five amazing children with him, but my wish for them, is that whatever their dreams are, whatever age they may be, wherever their path may lead, I wish them Joy and Happiness, because that is what they have always given me. "21" If I could go back and turn 21 again, I wouldn't change a thing!
As I celebrated Mary's 21st Birthday tonight, I saw her smiling face, and realized that even though she and I chose different paths to take at the age of 21, her path would be bringing joy and healing into so many peoples lives. She is in her third year at Boston College studying to be either a Nurse Practitioner or a Midwife, but whichever she chooses to be, she will be amazing at it, because she has a loving and giving nature, a love of learning, and she is a true nurturer.
Danielle, Michael and Ryan, have seen their 21st birthdays come and go, but they are all on their own personal paths of life, and I am proud of each of them for following their hearts and dreams. Jane is not far behind them, and she too will choose the path that is right for her, one that will follow her heart and dreams.
I know the kids sometimes think that I wished that they would all be married at 20 and having babies young like me and their Dad, but that couldn't be further from what my real wish is and has always been. I have been living my dream since the day I met their father, married him and had these five amazing children with him, but my wish for them, is that whatever their dreams are, whatever age they may be, wherever their path may lead, I wish them Joy and Happiness, because that is what they have always given me. "21" If I could go back and turn 21 again, I wouldn't change a thing!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Christmas "Presence"
My sister in-law recently posted on face book a video of my husbands 101 year old Grandmother dancing with a teddy bear that sings "That's Amore" on Christmas Eve. The video was so full of Christmas joy, and his grandmother personified that joy. Gram has seen 101 Christmas's come and go, and she has watched many of her loved ones pass away over the years, yet she celebrates life and continues to bless us with her "presence". "She" is the best Christmas present we receive from her each year when the presents are being passed around on Christmas Eve.
One day, she will not be present to celebrate Christmas with us, but the gift of her presence will live on in our hearts. She is my husbands past, my husbands present and my husband's future. Because of the gift she and Grandpa Vaudo gave to him. They gave him his mother, who in turn gave him life, and who in turn gave him to me, so that we could give our five children life. The present that keeps on giving.
We are truly blessed to have Gram, but we are also truly blessed to have had all of our ancestors. When our daughter Danielle was born in 1984, she had four grandparents, and 8 great grandparents living. We celebrated Christmas with all of them, and the gift of their presence in Danielle's life was priceless. I can remember Danielle singing to all of these grandparents and great grandparents, as soon as she learned to sing, and she gave all of them, the gift of song and her presence in their lives.
When I look back over the years, I see, my Nana and Grampy Dougherty's house with their Charlie Brown Christmas tree, and I can hear in my memories Bing Crosby singing in the back round, and Grampy singing along with him, while Nana puts the Roast Beef dinner on the table for our Christmas dinner. I see Nana and Werner (my step grandfather..my Grampy Feeley passed away when I was 4) Aunt Carol, Uncle Lou, Uncle Gary, Aunt Gina and our families celebrating Christmas Day at alternating houses year after year. I see Donnie and I heading over to Bedford on Christmas Eve after we had just been in Lincoln with my parents and my grandparents, to continue Christmas Eve with his parents and Grandparents. And then on Christmas Day, after being with my relatives, we would go over to his house and spend the rest of the day with his fathers parents, his mothers parents and his parents.
We did alot of running around back then, and at that went on for years until Ryan was born. After Ryan was born, the Holidays began to change. Great Grandpa died in 1988, and my grandfather Dougherty passed in 1993. Since then we lost all of our other grandparents, and Gram is our last surviving Grandparent, and our children's last living Great Grandparent. My mother has fought and beat her battle with Cancer, my father survived a double bypass, Donnie's father deals with diabetes, and his mom thankfully is in good health. We have been given some of the best Christmas presents any one could ever ask for ...we have been given the gift of all of these relatives "Presence" in our lives. They are our gifts that we treasure in our hearts not just at Christmas, but in every day, in every way. They are our past, our present and our future.
I write this as I was taught to write and taught my children to write Thank You notes whenever we received gifts. I write this as a Thank You to all of my relatives living and those who are no longer with us. Thank you (to all of our relatives) for the unending gift of your "Presence" in our lives.
Tonight is New Years Eve 2012 and as we go forward into 2013, lets remember to always be appreciative the gift of our loved ones "Presence" in our lives, whether they are still with us or in our memories.
One day, she will not be present to celebrate Christmas with us, but the gift of her presence will live on in our hearts. She is my husbands past, my husbands present and my husband's future. Because of the gift she and Grandpa Vaudo gave to him. They gave him his mother, who in turn gave him life, and who in turn gave him to me, so that we could give our five children life. The present that keeps on giving.
We are truly blessed to have Gram, but we are also truly blessed to have had all of our ancestors. When our daughter Danielle was born in 1984, she had four grandparents, and 8 great grandparents living. We celebrated Christmas with all of them, and the gift of their presence in Danielle's life was priceless. I can remember Danielle singing to all of these grandparents and great grandparents, as soon as she learned to sing, and she gave all of them, the gift of song and her presence in their lives.
When I look back over the years, I see, my Nana and Grampy Dougherty's house with their Charlie Brown Christmas tree, and I can hear in my memories Bing Crosby singing in the back round, and Grampy singing along with him, while Nana puts the Roast Beef dinner on the table for our Christmas dinner. I see Nana and Werner (my step grandfather..my Grampy Feeley passed away when I was 4) Aunt Carol, Uncle Lou, Uncle Gary, Aunt Gina and our families celebrating Christmas Day at alternating houses year after year. I see Donnie and I heading over to Bedford on Christmas Eve after we had just been in Lincoln with my parents and my grandparents, to continue Christmas Eve with his parents and Grandparents. And then on Christmas Day, after being with my relatives, we would go over to his house and spend the rest of the day with his fathers parents, his mothers parents and his parents.
We did alot of running around back then, and at that went on for years until Ryan was born. After Ryan was born, the Holidays began to change. Great Grandpa died in 1988, and my grandfather Dougherty passed in 1993. Since then we lost all of our other grandparents, and Gram is our last surviving Grandparent, and our children's last living Great Grandparent. My mother has fought and beat her battle with Cancer, my father survived a double bypass, Donnie's father deals with diabetes, and his mom thankfully is in good health. We have been given some of the best Christmas presents any one could ever ask for ...we have been given the gift of all of these relatives "Presence" in our lives. They are our gifts that we treasure in our hearts not just at Christmas, but in every day, in every way. They are our past, our present and our future.
I write this as I was taught to write and taught my children to write Thank You notes whenever we received gifts. I write this as a Thank You to all of my relatives living and those who are no longer with us. Thank you (to all of our relatives) for the unending gift of your "Presence" in our lives.
Tonight is New Years Eve 2012 and as we go forward into 2013, lets remember to always be appreciative the gift of our loved ones "Presence" in our lives, whether they are still with us or in our memories.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
I Spy with my one good Eye
It's been awhile since I have done some blogging, but having just been on bed rest for over two weeks, I felt the urge to write.
A little over 4 weeks ago while making Christmas Cookies with our children and their grandparents, I mentioned out loud that I was seeing spots dancing around outside my right eye. My mother in-law told me that I was seeing floaters and it was a sign of aging. Seeing that I am a few months away from turning 50...this is not what I wanted to hear.
The floaters continued to get worse and I went to see my eye doctor who confirmed that I had a Vitreous detachment in my right eye, and yes it does seem to happen as you get older, but he assured me that in most cases the vitreous (floaters) would disappear and hopefully my eye would be fine. He also mentioned that in some cases there could be a chance that the Vitreous detachment could lead to a Retina detachment.
I went to work the next week, with the floaters still affecting my eyesight in my right eye, but as the week progressed, I began to see a very dark mountain type shape on the lower part of my eyesight...I could only partially see through my right eye. I assumed this was still the Vitreous detachment, but called the eye doctor to be on the safe side. After he examined me, he immediately called a Retina Specialist, and the next day, I was diagnosed with a Retina detachment, and had an emergency procedure done that same evening to try and repair the detachment.
It was a somewhat painful procedure, and after it was performed, I was then instructed to lie only on my left side with my head flat at all times, and I could only get up to go the bathroom and eat. Fortunately for me with only two weeks till Christmas, I had already finished all my shopping, all my wrapping,all the decorating, made and froze two pans of lasagna, two containers of sauce, and most of my baking was done. The hard part was being bedridden and learning to let others take over the running of my house and the rest of the Holiday preparations.
Danielle, our oldest daughter came in from NYC the night of my procedure, and Mary and Jane our other two daughters had just finished with their finals, and they all took over. Don had to go away on a business trip and he couldn't have left me in better hands. From my one eye, lying on the couch, I watched as my daughters kept up the house cleaning, made the dinners, did the laundry, finished my holiday baking, and basically took over as the "Mom" of the house. My son Michael would check in frequently and my son Ryan and his wife Annie brought me ice cream and she helped wrap the last couple of gifts for me. My friend Meryl and my friend Lori brought the family dinners, and my parents came by to entertain me with their company, and help out in whatever way they could. Prayers were being said for my eyesight, and for my Retina to heal, and I had to have faith that if I did what the doctor said, then my Retina would reattach, and my sight would return.
It has now been two days since I was allowed to sit up and move around. My Retina has healed, and I pray that it stays healed and that my other eye will remain unaffected. The fear of losing my sight taught me, that I shouldn't fear aging, I should appreciate each day, each sunrise, each sunset, and all the beauty that surrounds me. I saw even with my one working eye these last two weeks, the beauty and the love that is my supportive family and circle of friends. Eyes open has a new meaning for me, and even though my sight in my right eye will not return to normal for another month or so, I realize that when you see through the eyes of love, then your sight is never taken from you. My heart saw so much these last weeks, and I consider myself blessed to be able to truly "See" what is important in life.
P.S. Danielle, Mary, and Jane, you all stepped up to the plate these last weeks, and I just want to thank you three for all you did for me, and I love you very much....I think I've met my match in the three of you, or maybe it's just a testament to the saying that "The Apples didn't fall far from the Tree" You girls rock.
P.P.S For those of you who read this blog, please learn from my experience, and if you see black dots or floaters in the line of your vision, make sure to go to your Eye doctor and have your eyes checked out. Early detection can help prevent more serious Retina tears.
A little over 4 weeks ago while making Christmas Cookies with our children and their grandparents, I mentioned out loud that I was seeing spots dancing around outside my right eye. My mother in-law told me that I was seeing floaters and it was a sign of aging. Seeing that I am a few months away from turning 50...this is not what I wanted to hear.
The floaters continued to get worse and I went to see my eye doctor who confirmed that I had a Vitreous detachment in my right eye, and yes it does seem to happen as you get older, but he assured me that in most cases the vitreous (floaters) would disappear and hopefully my eye would be fine. He also mentioned that in some cases there could be a chance that the Vitreous detachment could lead to a Retina detachment.
I went to work the next week, with the floaters still affecting my eyesight in my right eye, but as the week progressed, I began to see a very dark mountain type shape on the lower part of my eyesight...I could only partially see through my right eye. I assumed this was still the Vitreous detachment, but called the eye doctor to be on the safe side. After he examined me, he immediately called a Retina Specialist, and the next day, I was diagnosed with a Retina detachment, and had an emergency procedure done that same evening to try and repair the detachment.
It was a somewhat painful procedure, and after it was performed, I was then instructed to lie only on my left side with my head flat at all times, and I could only get up to go the bathroom and eat. Fortunately for me with only two weeks till Christmas, I had already finished all my shopping, all my wrapping,all the decorating, made and froze two pans of lasagna, two containers of sauce, and most of my baking was done. The hard part was being bedridden and learning to let others take over the running of my house and the rest of the Holiday preparations.
Danielle, our oldest daughter came in from NYC the night of my procedure, and Mary and Jane our other two daughters had just finished with their finals, and they all took over. Don had to go away on a business trip and he couldn't have left me in better hands. From my one eye, lying on the couch, I watched as my daughters kept up the house cleaning, made the dinners, did the laundry, finished my holiday baking, and basically took over as the "Mom" of the house. My son Michael would check in frequently and my son Ryan and his wife Annie brought me ice cream and she helped wrap the last couple of gifts for me. My friend Meryl and my friend Lori brought the family dinners, and my parents came by to entertain me with their company, and help out in whatever way they could. Prayers were being said for my eyesight, and for my Retina to heal, and I had to have faith that if I did what the doctor said, then my Retina would reattach, and my sight would return.
It has now been two days since I was allowed to sit up and move around. My Retina has healed, and I pray that it stays healed and that my other eye will remain unaffected. The fear of losing my sight taught me, that I shouldn't fear aging, I should appreciate each day, each sunrise, each sunset, and all the beauty that surrounds me. I saw even with my one working eye these last two weeks, the beauty and the love that is my supportive family and circle of friends. Eyes open has a new meaning for me, and even though my sight in my right eye will not return to normal for another month or so, I realize that when you see through the eyes of love, then your sight is never taken from you. My heart saw so much these last weeks, and I consider myself blessed to be able to truly "See" what is important in life.
P.S. Danielle, Mary, and Jane, you all stepped up to the plate these last weeks, and I just want to thank you three for all you did for me, and I love you very much....I think I've met my match in the three of you, or maybe it's just a testament to the saying that "The Apples didn't fall far from the Tree" You girls rock.
P.P.S For those of you who read this blog, please learn from my experience, and if you see black dots or floaters in the line of your vision, make sure to go to your Eye doctor and have your eyes checked out. Early detection can help prevent more serious Retina tears.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
"Bookends"
Yesterday was my youngest child Jane's birthday. There are 10 years between our oldest and youngest children. Danielle is now 28 and our baby Jane is now 18. The "Bookends" We always called them this because, they looked so similar at birth, and their personalities were the same, and once we had Jane, we knew our family was complete.
Yesterday, I also spent the morning with my oldest brother Kevin (who was here visiting from Texas), my parents, my sisters Kerri and Kristin, and my youngest brother Kenny. (We missed you at Friendly's Keith, my other brother who lives in Washington). So interestingly enough, I spent the day with my parents "Bookends", their oldest and youngest child.
The books in between my bookends: Danielle (Michael, Ryan,Mary) Jane and the books in between my parents bookends: Kevin (Kelly, Kerri, Keith, Kristin) Kenny, make up years of stories, years of treasured memories, years of laughter and tears, joys and sorrows. Like any book on your bookshelf, they all tell a story.
At breakfast with my parents and siblings, we all shared some memories and had some laughs. As we were getting ready to leave, my brother Kevin said that these "moments" the unexpected gathering of family members, the business trip that brought him here for a quick visit, or any moment that we as a family are able to see each other, no matter how long the time is....these are the "moments" we should cherish.
I agree with my brother. I am very fortunate right now in my life, that very often, I am able to get all five of my children together around my table to share stories, laughter, and the sheer joy of being all together at the same time, but I know this is not always going to be that easy. As my children continue to grow, they will have families of their own, and they will be spending time at their own homes and tables surrounded by their children, and making their own new "moments" to cherish.
Life is a forward progression, and this is how it should be, so that is why when I get the chance to see one of my siblings, if even for a short visit, I cherish it, and I carry that snapshot of our time together in my heart. I have the memories of our childhood in my heart, and it is fun to relive some of those memories with my siblings when I see them, but I am also happy for them, that they are making their own new memories, "moments" and stories with their own families. The circle of life goes on.
I know it saddens my parents to see their children leave after a visit with them, but I am grateful that they have each other and their health. I see my parents now, and I see myself and Donnie in them. As Donnie and I become empty nesters, I see that it is hard to let your children go, but if you've done your job right, then your children are supposed to move on, and all you can wish for them, is that they are happy, and that they continue to create new stories for their own bookshelves. The bookshelves that will be filled with books made up of childhood memories, and the memories that they will make with their own families one day.
Bookends and the books in between, the stories of a lifetime. Cherish the "moments", and when you do have the chance to spend time with whether it be one sibling, all your siblings, your mother and father, grandparents, or any family member, take the time to relive the old stories, make new stories, and continue to fill your bookcase full of the stories of life.
On my bookshelf right now, there is only one Bookend....because I have a lot of stories yet to write, and fill with memories, and cherished moments. I hope one day when my final Bookend gets placed on the bookshelf, that my bookshelf will be overfilled with stories of love, and happiness, joys and sorrows, ups and downs, but a Story that will live on in the memories of my children, their children and their children's children....the circle of life, a forward progression.
Yesterday, I also spent the morning with my oldest brother Kevin (who was here visiting from Texas), my parents, my sisters Kerri and Kristin, and my youngest brother Kenny. (We missed you at Friendly's Keith, my other brother who lives in Washington). So interestingly enough, I spent the day with my parents "Bookends", their oldest and youngest child.
The books in between my bookends: Danielle (Michael, Ryan,Mary) Jane and the books in between my parents bookends: Kevin (Kelly, Kerri, Keith, Kristin) Kenny, make up years of stories, years of treasured memories, years of laughter and tears, joys and sorrows. Like any book on your bookshelf, they all tell a story.
At breakfast with my parents and siblings, we all shared some memories and had some laughs. As we were getting ready to leave, my brother Kevin said that these "moments" the unexpected gathering of family members, the business trip that brought him here for a quick visit, or any moment that we as a family are able to see each other, no matter how long the time is....these are the "moments" we should cherish.
I agree with my brother. I am very fortunate right now in my life, that very often, I am able to get all five of my children together around my table to share stories, laughter, and the sheer joy of being all together at the same time, but I know this is not always going to be that easy. As my children continue to grow, they will have families of their own, and they will be spending time at their own homes and tables surrounded by their children, and making their own new "moments" to cherish.
Life is a forward progression, and this is how it should be, so that is why when I get the chance to see one of my siblings, if even for a short visit, I cherish it, and I carry that snapshot of our time together in my heart. I have the memories of our childhood in my heart, and it is fun to relive some of those memories with my siblings when I see them, but I am also happy for them, that they are making their own new memories, "moments" and stories with their own families. The circle of life goes on.
I know it saddens my parents to see their children leave after a visit with them, but I am grateful that they have each other and their health. I see my parents now, and I see myself and Donnie in them. As Donnie and I become empty nesters, I see that it is hard to let your children go, but if you've done your job right, then your children are supposed to move on, and all you can wish for them, is that they are happy, and that they continue to create new stories for their own bookshelves. The bookshelves that will be filled with books made up of childhood memories, and the memories that they will make with their own families one day.
Bookends and the books in between, the stories of a lifetime. Cherish the "moments", and when you do have the chance to spend time with whether it be one sibling, all your siblings, your mother and father, grandparents, or any family member, take the time to relive the old stories, make new stories, and continue to fill your bookcase full of the stories of life.
On my bookshelf right now, there is only one Bookend....because I have a lot of stories yet to write, and fill with memories, and cherished moments. I hope one day when my final Bookend gets placed on the bookshelf, that my bookshelf will be overfilled with stories of love, and happiness, joys and sorrows, ups and downs, but a Story that will live on in the memories of my children, their children and their children's children....the circle of life, a forward progression.
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