You're lucky to have Great Grandparents. Having 4 generations living is awesome. If you had come to us sooner, you would have had a Great Great Grandma, and that would have been 5 generations, but alas...
Your Grandma Patti's Parents
John (Grandad) and Mary (GG)
November 2014
Christmas 2017
UPDATE: 1/6/22 Your GG passed away today. She was 91.5 years old. We knew it was coming and were lucky enough to spend time with her the night before she passed. You know about death, because we talk about Grandma Fran and Grandma Patti, but you've never experienced it before. As we sat with GG, you said to me, "I've known about death since I was a baby, but I never understood it until now. And I don't like it." Your GG loved you so much. You read with her and played hide and seek with her. I am so thankful you're old enough to remember her.
Christmas Eve 2021
Your Grandma Fran's Parents
Josie and Joe are New Yorkers, just like Grandma Fran. Joe suffered a massive heart attack while visiting us in 1995 and died. He was a great man - happy, funny, and absolutely loved life. It was a terrible loss for us all.
Josie is still alive, but lives in New York, and I fear you'll never meet her because she's not well enough to travel, and Daddy and I have no reason to go all the way to New York anytime soon. She knows you though, through Facebook. She sent you the gold cross necklace you wore on your first Christmas Eve and the one you'll wear when we baptize you. The necklace used to be hers. I hope you hold onto it - not necessarily to wear, but at least to keep it safe because it was passed down with love.
UPDATE: 7/1219 Your Great Grandma Josie passed away today. She was 91 years old. Although you guys never met, I know she loved you very much, and I'm thankful you have things from her to remember her by.
Your Grandpa Dave's Parents
Ron and Norma live in Oregon. We drove there last week so they could meet you. Ron isn't healthy and is having surgery this coming week, and I wanted to make sure you guys met, just in case. Naturally, they both loved you. Norma got teary eyed when she held you for the first time. Ron just smiled and smiled.
UPDATE: 9/2/17 Your Great Grandpa Ron passed away today. He was 86 years old. He was a good man - a Korean War veteran and a Highway Patrolman. He may have been a bit of a grouchy man, but he sure did light up when he got to spend time with you.
UPDATE: 1/24/22 Your Great Grandma Norma remarried and moved to Tennessee with her new husband, something I found out via another family member. I have no way to get a hold of her...
His mother's name is Pat. Because of some stuff between them when he was growing up and other stuff that happened in adulthood, we don't have a relationship with her. You'll realize that life is way too short to surround yourself with unhappy, negative, toxic people. As sad as it is, we've cut her from our lives, but we are all much happier because of it. She does know you exist though, and sent me a message on Facebook when you were about a month old, saying she was happy for us. I sent her a photo and told her what an amazing baby you were. I've never heard back, but I'm sure other family members fill her in now and then.
UPDATE 5/11/15: Pat and I are now Facebook friends, and she comments on and shares so many of the pictures we post of you. She says she hopes to meet you some day, but as your Mommy, I feel the need to protect you from the emotional roller coaster that's involved with having her in your life.
UPDATE 6/5/18: I took a leap of faith shortly after that last update and let your Great Grandma Pat meet you. As she's gotten older I believe she's realized the error of her ways and is trying to make amends. I figure it's important to be the better person and not hold grudges, so we met with and have formed a good relationship with her. She loves you very much.
Your GaGa's Parents
Alice and Henry
UPDATE: 1/23/22 Your Great Grandpa passed away today at the age of 102 years old. He was such a loving, kind, fun man. He made everyone jewelry with beads, and you have a few of his creations. He also made decorations out of cement, and we have a few of those in the garage. I see a lot of him in Daddy - his sense of humor, the fact that he's usually happy and smiling. Great Grandpa loved his family so very much. I hope you have fond memories of him.
January 2, 2022
Your Agi's Parents
Luis and Mercedes live in a city called Tepatitlan in the state of Jalisco in Mexico. I fear you will never meet them, as they don't travel, and at this point in time, traveling to Mexico isn't the safest. They know you though, through photos on Facebook and talking to your Abuelito on the phone. We sent them a framed photo of you this past Christmas, and they said you were beautiful.
UPDATE 6/29/15: Luis passed away this past Thursday, June 25th. He was born January 21, 1927, so he was 88 years old. I never met him, despite the fact that Daddy and I have been together for 19 years, married for 12.5. I never traveled to Mexico, and he never traveled to the US. In hindsight, which is always 20/20, I really should have gone there to meet him. I regret that now. He was a good man though, raised a good family, taught your Abuelito how to be a good father, who in turn taught Daddy how to be a good father, so his legacy lives on and blesses you every day your Daddy loves you.
UPDATE 5/27/17: Mercedes passed away this evening. I met her once or twice, a long while ago. There was a language barrier - my Spanish isn't that great, and neither is her English, but I do remember her being a quiet but kind woman.
You are loved by all of these people, whether they've met you or not. You're such a lucky girl.
I love you,
Mommy
No comments:
Post a Comment