I wasn't sure I wanted to do this, I am for sure not a writer, but when Lori from http://www.familytreesmaycontainnuts.com/2009/10/writers-challenge-1.html mentioned this, one thing really stood out for me. This by far is not the only thing anyone has ever done nice for me, there have been many things, but this one still matters a lot.
The summer after my Dad died, my Aunt ( his sister) asked me to come back to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. That is where my Mom and Dad had been raised, my brother and me were also born there. I was very leery about going back, too many memories and I was afraid it would just hurt too much. But after much thinking and pondering, Wayne, me and Bryan, my two year old son went back to Eau Claire in late June of 1983.
Reconnecting with my cousins and Aunt's and Uncles was so special! I felt like I belonged. That Fourth of July we had a wonderful time at my cousin's house with food and sparklers and fireworks! This small town goes all out for the Fourth and there was a wonderful parade, and all kinds of special events going on. Bryan had such fun with his new cousins!
Every night after everyone was in bed, Rosemary and I would sit down at the kitchen table in the house that she and my Dad grew up in and talk about him, all kinds of things....she shared wonderful thoughts and memories with me about my Dad and my Mom, and my grandparents. She would take me to places that had meant something to them, where they had gone to high school, the church they got married in, and so many others.
We cried, and laughed and spent many precious hours together....it helped the healing begin. I felt close to them back in Eau Claire. I could almost envision them with me. I saw the first house they bought together and brought their family to. I can only imagine how hard it had to be for them to leave "home" but my Dad did what he needed to do for his family. And that was provide a good living, and that meant going to Ohio, when I was just two years old.
Every time I see my Aunt Rosemary, I thank her for that time, for that healing and for the love I felt that trip, and every trip since ! This is not a sad memory but a loving, kind one that always brings a smile to my face when I think of that summer of 1983.
Every night after everyone was in bed, Rosemary and I would sit down at the kitchen table in the house that she and my Dad grew up in and talk about him, all kinds of things....she shared wonderful thoughts and memories with me about my Dad and my Mom, and my grandparents. She would take me to places that had meant something to them, where they had gone to high school, the church they got married in, and so many others.
We cried, and laughed and spent many precious hours together....it helped the healing begin. I felt close to them back in Eau Claire. I could almost envision them with me. I saw the first house they bought together and brought their family to. I can only imagine how hard it had to be for them to leave "home" but my Dad did what he needed to do for his family. And that was provide a good living, and that meant going to Ohio, when I was just two years old.
Every time I see my Aunt Rosemary, I thank her for that time, for that healing and for the love I felt that trip, and every trip since ! This is not a sad memory but a loving, kind one that always brings a smile to my face when I think of that summer of 1983.
