Sunday Scribblings prompt for this week: Slippery
What is more slippery than time? Last weekend we celebrated my brother's birthday. 53 years ago he was born....I can remember it like it was yesterday. Mostly because I was sent to stay with the O'Leary's during Mom's "confinement", and was given firecrackers to play with (I was not quite 6), and had to sleep in a bed with spiders (I was told they wouldn't hurt me). Naturally I am terrified of them to this day.
My one and only auntie was at the party. Looking more like my mom, her sister, than ever. She is the only aunt I have left. She will be 86 next month. Soon she will slip away, as my mother did nearly 4 (!!!) years ago. One can't help but wonder where the years have gone when I can glance from my auntie, the oldest member of our family....to my great-nephew Ethan who, at not quite 4 mos., is the youngest member of our tribe.
I can remember when I was the age of my nieces, and the family would be gathered at the grandparents' for Father's Day or Christmas. My Mom and aunts would be in the kitchen, and there would be talking and laughter, and I longed to be a part of that group, that female gathering...but their conversation would always stop...or change... when I entered the room. I was not included....too young....even in my 20's.
Now my sisters and I are that group, and I wonder if their daughters have any desire to join us in our kitchen gatherings....to share the laughter and the secrets. I think they must, for they hang with us for a bit. I wonder if they know how much joy we get from their company? I wonder if they know how important they are to us, and how much we love them.?
I hope I have enough time left to share real moments with the "great" nephews and nieces. Little Ethan, Garrett, and Emma won't remember that auntie tickled their tummies or bounced them on her knee. Cole, at 2 1/2, won't remember that his auntie taught him to say "antioxidants" at this party while he was stuffing his face with blueberries. And Zack won't recall how his auntie laughed at his antics and admired how smart he is.
Is it a sign of old age that my reveries are about times with my family? That being with them and enjoying our bond and each other's company is one of the biggest joys of my life? We've all heard the saying that when you reach the end of your life, you won't regret that you didn't spend more hours/time working, etc., but instead, will wish for more time with your family and loved ones. Well, before all my time slips away, I hope I have many more years...and many more memories...with this family that I love so much.
3 comments:
FIRECRACKERS??!!
There you go again, bringing tears to my eyes. I hope you really will get up here more often to spend time with all the kiddies. Garrett is on his way soon. Tyler got the job and they want him to start on Aug 1st. I think he's bringing only Garrett at this time. You can come up and give me a hand, then he will remember you more than the others.?????
Love you too!!! lab
Fire crackers - golly.
Who wouldn't want to be a part of your family - you make it sound so wonderful. Neither mine nor my husband's immediate family were like that either - ours are small and distant - both emotionally and geographically..
Yep, firecrackers. A huge packet of them. No one thought anything of it in those days.
Yes, I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family, and to enjoy such terrific relationships with them all. I know, it's not the norm any more. But we are a very loving, laughing, happy group. I'd rather spend time with my family (and Michael) than any friends I have.
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