In the past I would never have thought that I would ever be a person that would be as transparent on my blog as I feel I am about to embark upon. I realize there are many bloggers who "put it all out there" and that has never been a problem to me. In fact, on occasion I have felt that I have gained some insight into a particular situation that may be applicable to my own life. However, if this candidness is a problem for you please just return on another day.
Growing up in the 1950's it was not uncommon to see magazine covers depicting life as interpreted by the famous artist, Norman Rockwell.
No matter your age, most everyone is familiar with this popular family Thanksgiving dinner interpretation. Unfortunately, as a people we are getting close to not recognizing this picture to be anything other than "just another picture".
The following images by Norman Rockwell have significance for me as I reflect on my early life.
But first, I think it will be helpful to briefly discuss a little about who was my family.
Father - French decent - born into a Catholic home in Minnesota on a farm in 1902. Left home and school at age 14. I do not know how many siblings but at least eight and two died at birth. On a brief occasion I met 1 Sister (that would be my Aunt) and on several brief occasions I met 1 Brother (that would be my Uncle). That's about it for my experience with my father's family.
Mother - German decent - born into a Lutheran home in Minnesota on a farm in 1902. She was one of 13 children (6 boys and 7 girls) in what was portrayed as a close supportive family. Her birth order was 11 of the 13. And, the 12th child died at birth. I think I met all of my Aunts and Uncles during a brief visit to Minnesota when I was 10 years of age.
My parents married in Minnesota in the year 1928. Father age 26. Mother age 26. She had earned her teaching credential and had been teaching in a One Room School House with a wood burning stove. I do not know any information about my father during his young adulthood.
One very significant fact that has vastly effected my life is that following my parents marriage they left Minnesota for a six week journey in a Model T Ford to make their home in Los Angeles, California.
Do you see the picture that is developing? NEVER did I meet any grandparents nor did I have any relationships with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
That's it for today. There will be more coming in the future.
Please have the Best Weekend possible and - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mary
Growing up in the 1950's it was not uncommon to see magazine covers depicting life as interpreted by the famous artist, Norman Rockwell.
No matter your age, most everyone is familiar with this popular family Thanksgiving dinner interpretation. Unfortunately, as a people we are getting close to not recognizing this picture to be anything other than "just another picture".
The following images by Norman Rockwell have significance for me as I reflect on my early life.
But first, I think it will be helpful to briefly discuss a little about who was my family.
Father - French decent - born into a Catholic home in Minnesota on a farm in 1902. Left home and school at age 14. I do not know how many siblings but at least eight and two died at birth. On a brief occasion I met 1 Sister (that would be my Aunt) and on several brief occasions I met 1 Brother (that would be my Uncle). That's about it for my experience with my father's family.
Mother - German decent - born into a Lutheran home in Minnesota on a farm in 1902. She was one of 13 children (6 boys and 7 girls) in what was portrayed as a close supportive family. Her birth order was 11 of the 13. And, the 12th child died at birth. I think I met all of my Aunts and Uncles during a brief visit to Minnesota when I was 10 years of age.
My parents married in Minnesota in the year 1928. Father age 26. Mother age 26. She had earned her teaching credential and had been teaching in a One Room School House with a wood burning stove. I do not know any information about my father during his young adulthood.
One very significant fact that has vastly effected my life is that following my parents marriage they left Minnesota for a six week journey in a Model T Ford to make their home in Los Angeles, California.
Do you see the picture that is developing? NEVER did I meet any grandparents nor did I have any relationships with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
That's it for today. There will be more coming in the future.
Please have the Best Weekend possible and - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mary
Same here Mary. And, I married a man just the opposite. His family was all inclusive - had aunts, uncles, tons of cousins etc. It made for a hard time foe me, marrying into a large extended family. Not having a Mom, I didn't know I was marrying into a family I did not want to be part of. Young ones, remember that. You aren't just marrying a person, but an entire family.
ReplyDeleteI am eager to read more about your family and history dear friend.
ReplyDeleteMary, my heart weeps for you. The bond of family, the strength, love and stability it provides is tremendous, and so very shocking to me that you were left without. Oddly, nearly the same exact scenario was my father's lot in life. He was born in 1939. Though he went on to marry, start a remodeling company that was his main income to provide for our family for many years, and he loves us all very much, he believes he "turned out okay" and "what didn't kill him made him stronger". But the lack of any real or normal expression of caring and love within his home toward him and his 2 brothers, and no contact with ANY other family members except for on the rare occasion like you, I truly believe it left him scared emotionally, and left him unable to socialize properly, therefore without many friends here in his and my mother's later years of life. While you can look at his life and see many successes from his own perseverance, I don't believe material possessions can ever take the place of family and love. But I think they have given him the only sense of worth he's ever known, because he surely did not get it from his parents. It all is a very tangled web of how it has unfolded from his childhood, into adulthood and into parenthood, as well. I, too, look forward to learning learning more about you, your family and your history, Mary.
ReplyDelete