Sunday, January 07, 2007

The Women In My Family


These are the immediate women in my life. A few missing, yes, but here are four, important. From left to right:

My Mother. A retired daycare mother, an angel walking the earth, and I believe, an aura about her that only babies can see. They reach for her, take her hand, lay their heads in her lap. And she'd die for any one of them.

My sister, Teri. 2 years younger, and fiercely protective of me our entire lives. 23 years married to my brother in law, Big-Tim-Stud, and mother of 2, Brandi, and Dane. And let us not overlook: Cancer Survivor, baby. She spent her birthday handing out flowers to chemo patients. It was her gift to herself.

Next is my Grandmother. 87 years old, forced to retire just 3 years ago after complications from surgery. She's physically moving a little slower these days, but she can still kick your ass. Seriously. Do NOT argue that you're paying for lunch. Just go get her wallet like she told you, and no one will get hurt.

And on the right, my niece Brandi. An Up-and-Coming Strong Woman in Our Lives. I could write an entire blog about her alone. Health complications caused her, a few years ago, to drop out of high school. She went straight to the community college to get her GED, and currently has a Straight-A, 4.0 GPA in Forensic Science. The Girl is going places, baby, and I hope I'm jealous as hell.

And my Grandmother was here, today, to check on my mother, who, as you may know, is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's.

We'd told her: She's ok. We'd told her: We take care of her. We'd told her: We'd die before we didn't.

And still. She called on my Uncle, and said "Take Me There."

She had to see for herself.

And that's all right.

Because the women in my family.

We aren't going away, just because you told them to.

We will rest, when we know, that YOU are okay.

And not a moment before.

And before I go, here's one more, I snapped, of my mother and my grandmother. They stood, in this position, listening to surrounding conversation. My brother-in-law teased me about the camera flashing constantly, and I countered, "I just can't help it, all this hand holding, they're so cute!!!!"

And my mother matter-of-factly replied, "I'm warming her hands. They're freezing."


Another benefit, from the women in my life:

You're not going anywhere with cold hands, if we can help it.

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:34 PM

    this makes miss home so much, heart ya, brian

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  2. Anonymous12:03 AM

    This is heartwarming. Thanks for sharing your treasured loved ones. m.e.

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  3. Your love for them comes pouring through... it's really nice to have such closeness with family. Thanks for letting me peak in.

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  4. Jolley: Heart ya more, always will.

    M.E. Thank you and your welcome.

    Wendy: Come on over!

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  5. This one made me tear up. Strong women...there's too much to say and I haven't enough coffee yet this morning to express myself well. Let's just say thank you for the look into your life and the reminder of mine.

    And if I wasn't already tearing up that first comment would have made me.

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  6. What a lovely post!

    And I just LOVE the pic of your mom and grandma holding hands - that's priceless!

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  7. You have all overcome so much and are stronger because of it!

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  8. This is a great dedication to the women in your family. Bless them all~

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  9. what a wonderful post! you have such a gift of really involving your readers (and tugging at their heart-strings).

    thank you!

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  10. Humph. I have something in my eye. That's all. Really. Humph.

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  11. Soooooo many Hot Chiks in one family!!!

    I'm with Andy *sniff*. Dusty place here. Pass me a tissue, would you?

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  12. Anonymous7:28 PM

    I don't know what to say, I'm speechless. I guess just all I can say is thank you for calling me strong. Too bad you weren't in the picture. And you've got a pretty strong story yourself, ya know??

    Love you,
    Brandi

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  13. Pobs: Yeah, waking up to that one got me too, before coffee. You're another strong one in my life.

    Momo: That pic gets to me.

    Frugal Mom: Takes one to know one; I look up to you also.

    Stephen: Yeah, bless them; and bless you too. Blessings for everyone.

    Si: Aw. Thanks. Glad you like my family.

    Andy: You big wah-wah. Come for KFC at Grandma's house, some time.

    Theresa: Here. Puff's plus. With lotion. Only the best for HotNoses.

    Brandi: I'm sure now you feel just awful for changing my phone numbers around and setting a 3 a.m. alarm on my cell phone. Writing something nice is my retaliation. Go think about what you've done.

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  14. Aw..this is a wonderful post!! and and awesome tribute to awesome women!!

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  15. Anonymous5:15 PM

    Gnightgirl is one of the strongest women out there! She has a great personality, accepts all people...until they hurt her or one of hers that is. She has raised her son with Love and Friendship and there is a bond there that we can all see on the blog and you can *feel* it when you are in their presence. She has received *all* of the Genes from our ancestors for her Art, Photography, Writing, and Sensible thinking skills. The rest she had to share. (I needed something!) She is a true Rock (More like a mountain) and I look up to her for many of her wonderful ways. She is one of the MOST AMAZING women in her family! When she is old (I'll still be younger!) there is no doubt that she will be able to look back on her life and say "I did it right!"

    Sister, Teri

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  16. Beautiful, fiercely touching post.

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  17. Amazing women, all of them. Your grandmother is astounding!

    What a beautiful, loving dedication.

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  18. MaryP: Yeah. They are.

    Teri: Oh stop. Tell me more.

    SpiderGirl: Thanks

    Dan: My Grandmother IS astounding, and adorable to boot!

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