"Memories...like the corner of my mind"
Do minds have corners?
...anyhow...
We took the kids (meaning my step-kids, and my niece and nephew (all of whom are about the same ages)) to 'the Burgh' (Pittsburgh)....
It was a nice trip down with the exception of driving around Pittsburgh, unfortunately, I did not print out the right kind of maps, the directions were rather convoluted, and nothing in that city is marked properly (like major attractions etc.) - so, understandably Erin was on edge. Driving in Pittsburgh is always a bear anyhow.
But we took the kids to the Cathedral of Learning on Friday last and spent most of the day Saturday at the Science Center. The kids had fun and they were well behaved. We even showed them the place where our family used to live...it was nice being able to share the places I visited as a child with my niece and nephew and hopefully, help them create their own special memories that they will cherish when they are older.
Driving around the area I grew up in brought on a lot of memories. Most were associated with the days of summer and being outside, playing with all the other neighborhood kids. We didn't have to schedule 'play dates'; our parents were not trying to cram every friggin' moment full of something to do, and life just unfolded. You didn't feel like there was a race against time to get things done - of course as a kid why would you feel that way? (unless of course your dumb ass parents are trying to scheduled too much shit for you to accomplish)....
Remembrances of being at my Irish grandmother's house in particular this visit, with the guys all gathered around on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the summer, listening to the Pittsburgh Pirates play ball, and the feeling that despite being 'poor' that all was right with the world. There was a feeling of family - true family, a spirit that seemed to pervade the house, like we all belonged.
A couple of weeks from now, I am going to have the pleasure of going back to Pittsburgh again, this time to attend the wedding of one of my own cousins (I believe she is actually my age and this will be her second marriage). I am going to be on the arm of my husband and hopefully, we will get to dance together at the reception. I look forward creating new memories and adding to the joy that comes with being around family - for something other than a funeral - as my cousins and I are often pointing out to each other these days with humour of course...but still...we are losing our parents now and it's a bit hard to watch one generation fade into oblivion and perhaps come to terms with knowing we are next...
Here's to life and living and to my cousin's new found happiness: L'Chaim!
...anyhow...
We took the kids (meaning my step-kids, and my niece and nephew (all of whom are about the same ages)) to 'the Burgh' (Pittsburgh)....
It was a nice trip down with the exception of driving around Pittsburgh, unfortunately, I did not print out the right kind of maps, the directions were rather convoluted, and nothing in that city is marked properly (like major attractions etc.) - so, understandably Erin was on edge. Driving in Pittsburgh is always a bear anyhow.
But we took the kids to the Cathedral of Learning on Friday last and spent most of the day Saturday at the Science Center. The kids had fun and they were well behaved. We even showed them the place where our family used to live...it was nice being able to share the places I visited as a child with my niece and nephew and hopefully, help them create their own special memories that they will cherish when they are older.
Driving around the area I grew up in brought on a lot of memories. Most were associated with the days of summer and being outside, playing with all the other neighborhood kids. We didn't have to schedule 'play dates'; our parents were not trying to cram every friggin' moment full of something to do, and life just unfolded. You didn't feel like there was a race against time to get things done - of course as a kid why would you feel that way? (unless of course your dumb ass parents are trying to scheduled too much shit for you to accomplish)....
Remembrances of being at my Irish grandmother's house in particular this visit, with the guys all gathered around on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the summer, listening to the Pittsburgh Pirates play ball, and the feeling that despite being 'poor' that all was right with the world. There was a feeling of family - true family, a spirit that seemed to pervade the house, like we all belonged.
A couple of weeks from now, I am going to have the pleasure of going back to Pittsburgh again, this time to attend the wedding of one of my own cousins (I believe she is actually my age and this will be her second marriage). I am going to be on the arm of my husband and hopefully, we will get to dance together at the reception. I look forward creating new memories and adding to the joy that comes with being around family - for something other than a funeral - as my cousins and I are often pointing out to each other these days with humour of course...but still...we are losing our parents now and it's a bit hard to watch one generation fade into oblivion and perhaps come to terms with knowing we are next...
Here's to life and living and to my cousin's new found happiness: L'Chaim!
Labels: Family and Life
posted by Colette at 7:50 PM
3 Comments:
Other than from home life, I have relatively few memories of my extended family or being with them at their homes: A couple reunions, a few from visiting grandparents, one pizza party with bad Domino's pizza, and only a handful of others. I could probably write all of them down in an hour.
The only regular memories are from going to Uncle Terry's a couple times every summer and visiting Aunt Arlene's. These two places were fun, every place else seemed to be stress filled, full of arguments, or I just played by myself.
I'm kind of envious of those with close families.
...including you M'Love.
Thank you for sharing your family with me and my own kids.
XOXOXO
Honey, it is time to break down and get yourself a Garmin! Greatest invention since the DVR!
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