This weekend was crazy-busy, but lots of fun!
I drove a lot and waited even more. On Friday, my granddaughter was Sophomore class female representative at her high school dance for the Winter Coronation court. I slipped in and out to take photos. Saturday and Sunday she competed in Irish dance competitions in downtown St. Louis. Rather than make an 80-mile round-trip each day, we stayed in a hotel with a magnificient view of the St. Louis skyline. Still, it was a hectic and stressful few days.
After school on Friday, my grandson and Walt and Harley (of course), headed out to our place in the country until Saturday night. Oh, and Walt accidentally took my keys with him, which I needed to drive my granddaughter to the dance on Friday, so that made for some hectic moments. I drove Walt's truck then later found his spare set of keys.
My grandson had an interesting tale about their visit to our farm: Harley chased him around on his four-wheeler and he also chased a baby calf in the farm across the road--until the momma cow arrived and Harley ran back across the road to our place. Sunday my grandson had a soccer game and a basketball game. We made it back in time to see the basketball game.
Yesterday would've been my dad's 95th birthday. It seemed appropriate that I was at an Irish event on Sunday, Dad's birthday. James Patrick Duly was proud of his Irish-American heritage. He was one of 11 children--only five made it to adulthood. His grandfather came to America during the "Great Famine." His grandmother's maiden name was O'Donnell (which also is the last name of my grandchildren).
Over the weekend I shared some of Dad's favorite sayings and ditties with my granddaughter, in hopes that she will remember them some day. She thought they were strange, but it was my way to remember Dad and pass along family memories. When I talked with my sister Kathleen last night, we had a few laughs and shared some of our memories of Dad.
Today I visited a blog that posed the question if you could go back and change something in the past, what would it be.
The first one that came to mind is: I wish I would've paid more attention when my dad and mom and other relatives talked about our family history and "the good old days."
How about you? What would you change?
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Hi Donna! Sounds like you had a great time in St. Louis! Haven't been there in years, but such a fun city.
ReplyDeleteFamily is important and I wish I had asked more questions of my grandparents. I need to sit and ask my mom some questions next time I'm there. Don't want that heritage to die out.
But, what I wish I could change is simply silly, but it comes to my mind once in a while. I wish I had tried out for the soccer team at my college. I was asked, but at that time thought soccer was all about running. After college years, I met my husband who is a huge soccer fan and got me to playing a bit. I LOVED it. Now, I play a bit with the kids...which will have to do. =)
Hi Donna! Wow...go back and change something? Makes me think of the movie, "Back to the Future". Doc tells Marty they can't change things because...of some scientific stuff I don't remember! So, I'd have to agree with your comment. I wish I knew so much more about my family's past. One of these days, I'm going to look into my ancestors, but that's not the same as hearing all the stories. When we were kids, we didn't care about those "old stories", did we? But we're chaning that for our kids and grandkids because of OUR writing and our story-telling!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on hearing the past. I did listen but wish I had done it more! This last week I hve been seeking my past. On one side, my great grandfather (James McKinney)was not adopted but was reared by John Mc Carty from Ireland. John fetched him from Topeka as a baby---so wish I knew rest of that story.
ReplyDeleteI treasure the times I talked with Daddy who died when he was only 73 but Mama made it until she was almost 94 and we became best friends. I found out so much from her just because we were both lots older and wiser. I guess that's the secret, unfortunately. I wonder if our kids and grandkids will do the same exact thing!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - Hmmm...what would I change? I'd ask my mom every question I could think of about her views on life, middle-age, children, and every darn thing. We were close, Mama and I, but I took our time together for granted. If I could have a do-over, I'd drive her crazy with questions about everything!
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy, fun few days for all of you. My former boss was named Lee O'Donnell and she would be our age. Wonder if she's one of your cousins? She lives in Nebraska now. Was a coach at Harris Teacher's College.
If I could go back, I would ask my grandma how she and my grandfather met. It is her history that intrigues me. I sent off my contest entry.
Hi MaDonna,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about asking my grandparents more questions. And I bet you are a great soccer player.
Hi Becky,
You are right about using our writing to leave a legacy for future generations.
Hi Bookie (Claudia),
That's a fascinating story. My paternal grandmother was reared by another family after her parents died. Those stories are so precious.
Hi Betty,
How blessed you are to have had your mother live so long. Both of my parents died in their 60s, which was much too soon.
Hi Lisa,
That's the spirit!
Hi Linda,
Wouldn't it be great just to have a few more hours with loved ones?
And THANKS for sending your entry. We are inching closer each day.
Donna
I'm very blessed to have my parents around, and we talk often. In fact, a conversation with my Momma takes hours, because there are so many tangents...(Well, we were at Tippy's funeral. You remember Tippy? She was married to Red-their son was in your class. He married that girl from Texas. Your brother's going to Texas next week. I don't know what he's going to do about that daughter of his... she's leaving for NYC today. Have you seen that snow in New York????)
ReplyDeleteOy. If I could change something, I'd have made the time to write years ago. I'm always jealous of those thirty-somethings out there, pounding away at their dreams!