Today was Aunt Edith's funeral. Now Dad and his two brothers and all of their wives are gone. I mourn their generation. Those six taught us a lot about the value of family, laughter, loyalty--and that it's possible to bicker and still love one another deeply. [Dad and his brothers, Anthony and Aldo, would sit together and all holler to be heard.]
I just flipped through my five-year green diary, knowing I'd find Aunt Edith there. I went back to early Septembers, because she often invited my family down for a Labor Day Weekend cookout.
September 1, 1974 [age 13]: Went to Uncle Aldo's and Aunt Edith's. Mom, Dad, Sis, Uncle Anthony, Aunt C & I went. Linda made nice pictures for me.
September 5, 1976 [age 15]. We went to Uncle Aldo's. It was fun. Judy, my older cousin, gave me some lip gloss & stuff she didn't want.
I just flipped through my five-year green diary, knowing I'd find Aunt Edith there. I went back to early Septembers, because she often invited my family down for a Labor Day Weekend cookout.
September 1, 1974 [age 13]: Went to Uncle Aldo's and Aunt Edith's. Mom, Dad, Sis, Uncle Anthony, Aunt C & I went. Linda made nice pictures for me.
September 5, 1976 [age 15]. We went to Uncle Aldo's. It was fun. Judy, my older cousin, gave me some lip gloss & stuff she didn't want.
Sad and stark as a funeral and burial can be, today had nice moments, like seeing my good cousin Lin and her family; driving past pretty foliage on the long ride to South Jersey; and getting to talk to Sis [and Don] in the car for about 4 hours. On the way home, some fog rolled in, a light misty wrap for a sad day's travels.
I don't like time marching on, but what is the alternative?
Good night to you.
TCOY
- Ice water.
- Salad.
- Catching up with Sis and Lin.
Me either.
ReplyDeleteI especially LOVE the first paragraph! So true. Alice, no matter what the circumstances, I always love seeing you all and appreciate how we can always find something to laugh about. I wonder what nice pictures I made for you and what also what was the stuff that Judi didn't want. Love, Lin
ReplyDeleteHi Lin...yes, that generation taught us a lot. I am grateful to have seen Aunt Edith recently over the years and to feel like I knew her well. As sad as it was, I delight in seeing you and am again sorry I cannot get there tomorrow night for the handbag bingo. I also wonder about the pictures you made and about what Dut gave me. Love, Al xoxoxoxoox
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