Sister memories

L-R: PJ, Fia, Norma Jean, me, Markee in 2011

A picture of me with my sisters in March 2011. I really had nothing I wanted to write about that is currently in the news, since it's all bleak and discouraging. So maybe it will be more fun to look back a decade and a half ago and think about my lovely sisters. This picture was taken by our lone brother in his home, when we got together to celebrate the life of my brother-in-law Pete. He died earlier in the year, the long-time husband of Norma Jean (in the middle of the photo). My sister PJ, standing next to me, died in 2014 of heart disease. It has claimed the lives of so many in my family. Now that I am probably no longer going to be able to hike vigorously to stave it off, who knows whether it will eventually come for me, too.

Frankly, these days it seems like it would be a blessing to succumb to a disease that would allow me to concentrate on something other than the current news. It seems unremittingly bad, no matter what part of the world I am reading about, and much of it originates right here in the good ol' USA. I am well aware that all things change with time, such as all of us in that picture; we are fifteen years older but still very much the same in many ways. In our country, many of us are the same as we were before the last election, but I truly didn't realize how deep the chasm is between us, those who voted for the winning party, and those who voted for the losing side. I now see it perfectly, and it doesn't make me feel hopeful.

At first, I felt that since I was well into my retirement years, with a fairly secure Social Security monthly allotment, and a (now somewhat diminished) annuity from my investments, I should be in better shape that someone who is just now getting ready to move into retirement. But it seems that no one and nobody is safe from these draconian cuts to our social infrastructure. If we lose enough, my husband and I will be unable to pay our rent and will join the huge unhoused population that already exists. We know we could be next.

Other than PJ, who has gone to the Other Side, the four of us sill around are doing pretty well. At least for now, we all have relatively stable home situations. I will start with the youngest of us, Fia, who is now a matron in her sixties, but happily married with two grown children who are both producing plenty of offspring, and to Fia these are her precious grandchildren. She posts often on Facebook, and although I am no longer posting there, I still get a notification when someone I follow posts a picture. I always go look to see the newest addition to her delightful brood.

Markee married a Canadian many years ago and they are now the proud grandparents of a beautiful granddaughter. Bob and Markee ended up with three children, two twin boys and a girl (Sarah) who produced Evelyn and are thinking about a sibling for her. They live in Alberta for most of the year, but bought a home in Apollo Beach near Norma Jean where they come during the cold winter months to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Norma Jean has had two children, a boy and a girl, and Allison, her daughter, has two girls who are now teenagers (can you believe it?). Her son Peter lives with her and is a good carpenter who helps to keep her mobile home in good repair.

And then there's me, with my dear partner, who have no living children, but then again, there's this wonderful thought from an earlier post:

I suppose it's inevitable that as I age and look back on the decades of life I've lived, that there are several versions of each of us. I was once a young mother with two beautiful children, and now the ghosts of my nonexistent grandchildren shine through each one of my relatives' progeny. Life is like that, I guess. I'll take it, happily.

 Many of my current acquaintances will show pictures and share stories of their grandchildren during our classes or volunteer work. When they do, I am always happy to see those sweet faces and hear stories of their exploits. When I was a young mother, I felt it was inevitable that I would have lots of children like my mom did, and that one day I would have lots of grandchildren, too. We never really know what the future holds for any of us. Now that I am an octogenarian, my days of adventure and discovery are behind me, and it's time to reminisce and look back, as well as enjoy the world of today. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect the world to look like it does right now. But as I contemplate the future, I am hopeful. And I have so many wonderful sister memories to remember with pleasure.

From that same gathering

My life is a good one, with plenty of happy memories, and I will continue to enjoy whatever the future brings my way. There is so much that I can focus on that is positive: my dear sweet partner, my family, and my dear friends whom I have made over the years. And I enjoy the routine that my life brings me every week. Since it's once again Sunday morning, I will hopefully be meeting John for breakfast, and then coming back home to settle into my recliner and spend some time talking with my guy about whatever is on his mind. And spring is just right around the corner, with early spring flowers already sprouting out of the ground. 

I will also spend some time today reading about the lives of my current virtual family. That would include you, dear reader. I enjoy hearing about how you are coping with the peaks and valleys of your own life. And hopefully giving those of us who are on this solitary planet among the billions of constellations some perspective on life and love. I am hopeful and filled with anticipation for another day filled with happy thoughts. Why not? Until we meet again next week, dear friends, I wish you all good things. Be well.