My children are spread out over southern and western Ontario. On Saturday I am going to Hamilton to look after my ex daughter in law's dog for a week. My eldest son, his wife and their 5 children, as well as the granddaughter of my soul, live in the Hamilton area. Besides making a little money I will get a chance to see the Hamilton branch of my family. This is something I am really looking forward to. I see this branch fairly regularly but during that week I hope to spend some time with them individually. Usually they come here together to my home now. That is a family visit with my daughter and her family here too. Sometimes I feel that a couple of hours one on one with my children and/or grandchildren is worth a day or two as a family visit. When the entire family is present I find myself sort of editing myself or trying to include everyone in the conversation. For me there is an intimacy missing in that kind of a visit. Next week I hope to spend time with my son and his family on an individual basis and hopefully a family visit too.
I also have a daughter in Hamilton. I don't speak of her much, as we havn't spoken for 12 years or more. She is a born again christian, which is fine with me, however, she told me if I wanted to see her 4 children I would attend their church whenever I was in town. I don't blackmail, not even for my children, not even for christians, especially not for christians. So I don't know those 4 now adult children and that is a loss for me and for them.
Linda, my eldest daughter. my step daughter really, but I consider her my daughter, lives in London with her partner Ann. I love both these women and don't see them often enough, but we see each other as often we can. Linda has a son and daughter, so that is two more grandchildren. Her son lives in Quebec and her daughter in Waterdown. This summer I want to go to London and spend some time with Linda and Ann and the London Branch of the MacCharles clan.
Then their is the Fenelon Falls branch of the family. My son Rusty and his partner Lieghann. I love spending time there. I have probably the best conversations with this son, perhaps because we both lived in Fenelon Falls for so many years. I love to listen to him. Rusty has retained his childlike enthusiasm and for some reason we find each other interesting. I find his words and idea so interesting. I seem to connect with each one of children on a different level. Rusty has my last remaining cat Willie Nelson. Last week he E mailed me a picture of his dog, Stanley and Willie Nelson laying on his couch together. I thought that was such a kind and thoughtful thing to do. Lieghann is one of the kindest people I know. She has shown kindness and love under the worst of conditions. I won't go into the diarreah story again.
I also have a Kitchener/Waterloo branch of the family. Rusty first wife, Patti and his three adult children live there. Tami and Dennis's three adult sons live there too. What beautiful, strong, and talented people these are. I get kind of sad that I don't see these grandchildren as often as I should and hopefully will see more them soon.
Then I have the Paisley branch of my family. My baby girl Tami and her husband Dennis and Jonathon, their youngest child. We live together in a beautiful, old, large farm house, with 2 dogs and 4 horses. We have people coming and going every day. People who are real friends, people who we help and who help us.
After writing this I am even more aware of how very lucky I am. All these wonderful people in my life. So much love and so much caring. I know people my age and older and even younger who are lonely and feeling uncared for.........and I say THANK YOU TO THE UNIVERSE for what I have.
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.........11:38p.m.
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