I have never really spoken much about my extended family here on the ole blog, so I want to take this chance to do so…finally.
I grew up in a fairly large family. In my immediate family there was my Mom (Dorothy {Dot for short}), my sister Tammy, and me. We lived with my Grandmother (my Mom’s Mom Alpha M.C. Johnson Owens). She had five children. There was Edmund, who was married to Octavia (we called her Tavie). They had no children.
Next was Margaret, who was married to Oris. They had three children named Royce, Ronnie, and Carol. In turn, they had children.
Next was Jane, who was married to Claude. Their family included James R.E., David, Mike, and Willie. They all had children as well.
Then there was Francis (we called her Frankie), who was married to James. They had four children. Judy, Janice, Joan, and J.R. Again, all of them had children.
My Mom was last and she had me and my Sister. I was the youngest Grandchild. We each have offspring.
Whew!!! Now that is a large family.
When I was very young (from birth until about 10 or so) everyone used to come to our house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was a day long party. We all got the chance to hang out and the food was way better than anything you can get today. (I think it was all of the lard and grease).
Everyone really loved each other and I remember those times very fondly. I think that my family had the perfect American Thanksgiving.
Most of my family was poor or working class. I never knew it on thanksgiving. There was enough food to feed an army (which was good because with the exception of my cousins Mike, JR, Willie, and myself, all of the men in the family served in the Armed Forces.)
Not to say that our family didn’t have its little moments. My Grandmother couldn’t stand my Aunt Tavie’s dressing. I think she thought it was competition and my grandmother always wanted to be the center of attention. (Just like a certain Grandson of hers.)
My Uncle Ed was a pretty straightforward guy and I seem to remember him not liking it when one of his Sisters (who shall remain unnamed here) tended to be a little full of herself.
To top it off, Grandma used to think it was in poor taste whenever someone would bring a dish to the meal and then take it home with them when they left. (That still cracks me up. I think she really wanted to keep the dish and didn’t care about the food.)
Like I said, typical American family.
My Grandmother passed away in 1988 and even though we tried to meet in theose first few years after her death, it just wasn’t the same. She was the catalyst that made our family tick.
In the ensuing years, we have lost my Uncle Ed, my Anut Jane and Uncle Claude, and Aunt Margaret and Uncle Oris. Only Aunt Frankie and Uncle James and my Mom remain out of their generation.
Even though they are gone, they live on inside me and now in these words, written for you to enjoy. I loved those times and without hesitation I can say I loved those people. It was the part of my life that I remember the most.
Funny thing is, I never really knew just how good I had it. What I wouldn’t give to have those times again.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you that read this. May yours be as good as mine.