A long read

[rayge]

In case anyone was wondering where I've been, I've spent a lot of time 'researching' and writing about my mother's life in time for what would have been her 100th birthday, which, as I write, is a little over an hour away. It turned out to be too long to sensibly post in a forum, close to 5000 words, with photographs, but I think it's a good read, one of the best things I ever wrote, and I hope you like it.

raygeb4beauty.blogspot.com/2022/01/it-was-100-years-ago-today.html

[DayoRemix]

Will check it out this weekend, Ray..I'll have more time then..

[souphound]

That sounds really lovely. I will also wait for a more opportune moment to take it all in properly.

I did check the link though and that works fine (why shouldn't it?). More importantly, I quickly perused a few of the pictures and lo, that one from her 92nd birthday unequivcally proves your lineage doesn't it!

[cousinlou]

Beautiful and lovingly written Ray!

[sloopjohnc]

Jan 18, 2022 22:50:53 GMT rayge said:

In case anyone was wondering where I've been, I've spent a lot of time 'researching' and writing about my mother's life in time for what would have been her 100th birthday, which, as I write, is a little over an hour away. It turned out to be too long to sensibly post in a forum, close to 5000 words, with photographs, but I think it's a good read, one of the best things I ever wrote, and I hope you like it.

raygeb4beauty.blogspot.com/2022/01/it-was-100-years-ago-today.html

I just started reading it, Ray, but it's already a beautiful testimonial. I can hardly wait to read the rest.

[sloopjohnc]

Beautiful. I wish you hadn't ended it by saying you were sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about.

It's funny, when my dad died, my brother and I expected to find a ton of cheap reading glasses you can buy at on a carousel at the pharmacy because my dad was always losing them and we were surprised when we couldn't find any clearing his house.

What we did find were notes my mom had left my dad when she found out she had leukemia and knew she was going to die pretty soon. Stuff like reconciling the check book, how to contact the cable company, ironing, stuff like that. He could have easily thrown them away when he'd found them doing stuff, but I think he kept them there to remember her by. She'd been dead for nearly 20 years when we'd found those notes.

It must be different living with a big extended family close by. We have a small family. I have a brother, three cousins and a few second cousins that I used to keep in touch with, but don't anymore. My brother and I talk every once in awhile and I talk to one of my cousins, my girl cousin, my same age, but that's about it. On one hand - I won't feel the loss of family members, but on the other hand, I won't feel the loss of losing family members. The other day I had kind of a sobering thought - that I will most likely die alone in the house I am now and it could easily be a week before anyone realized and contacted my children or ex, especially if it's after I retire.

But enough about me, you could sense your love for your mom and your family in every word and sentence, Ray.

[Half Machine Lipschitz]

Wonderful, Ray. My throat got a bit tight at your mom's question about not having any family left - what a thought.

I echo sloop's wish that you hadn't said sorry at the end, but I'm sure you must have your reasons.

Thanks.