George died last night. He lived in Florida and I live in Washington, so we have been a continent apart for many years. Fifty-Five years ago my husband passed away. George, and his brother, John, both my husband’s brothers, made things much easier for me and my three children. They helped me arrange the little finances I had and took complete care of arranging Eddie’s funeral, and stuck by me even though they had families of their own in distant towns. I continue to be thankful for both of them and keep them in my prayers even though I had been married for forty–one years to my present husband.
The thought of George made me think of families today. There have been countless divorces and re-marriages and the children suffer. In many cases they don’t know who their father or mother is. There are even two mothers or two fathers trying to be a family. The “family” idea is almost completely lost! I am so happy that my three children and myself get together often, and call their brother who lives in New Mexico. My Grandchildren come with my children, even though they are adults and have many interests of their own. I think all of us have a healthy idea of family.
I know of many families like mine, maybe it’s because we are older. I remember past days of farming in Wisconsin. When a child married, they built their home someplace on the parents farmland and so the family grew together. It isn’t that way anymore. The kids grow up, go to college or work in the city, marry and settle down somewhere far from the home place. The sad thing is that Mom and Dad don’t see their children often, if at all.
Is there something we can do about that? I suppose not. It seems to be the way it is now, but we, who know what a family is can try to always keep our family together. In this day of cell phones that shouldn’t be so hard, should it?
George is gone, but one thing I am sure of. He knew about families. His brother,John, does too. He is the only on left in his family, but he is keeping his own family close to his heart.
GramMa's Thoughts 