Memories

So today we went to the oldest part of Russia, and I will "speak about that" later. (inside joke... gotta love Mariah). Anway last night I had a really nice talk with Brenda and it got me thinking about my grandparents. They died a few years back. They were married for 65 years and were apart for 29 days-- my grandma died and then grandpa died 29 days later. It was a beautiful thing. Both Brenda and I agreed that we want that kind of relationship. Think about the things they endoured together. It must have been quite the scandal because my grandmother was pregnant when she got married. They then had and burried three children... one child made it all the way to 6 years of age before he died, for unknown reasons of course--- because being catholic the boides were never tested for cause of death. They proceeded to have 5 more kids- one of which they also burried, he was 54 (ish) when he took his own life. Half their children remain alive, with dozens of grandchildren and great grand children and even a few great great grandchilren. But back to the relationship. They were married in their twenties, old for the period. He was a boxer, and a fine dancer-- with her. Anybody else he danced with would complain of him stepping on their toes-- but she had the ability to counter his steps and they danced beautifuly. (or so I imagine... I never got the chance to see them dance together, though I did get to dance with my grandpa once). He was a farmer, she a homemaker. This ment that they spent every day together, ate meals together, and in general were together all the time. They made it through winters on the farm, kids being kids, the depression, wars, bad crops... The stories my mom tells are so interesting about growing up on the farm. As they grew older they retired from the farm and moved to a small apartment. Here they lived for a few years, and then moved into the nursing home. They lived here for quite a few years, with the beds pushed together. They sat and watched football, she with her packers glass and he with his vickings glass. She was involved in everything she could at the home, and he enjoyed the television, the paper, and relaxing. He was often sick, she was never really hospitalized. When she got sick, she got sick fast and went to heaven to wait for him. It was a beautiful relationship. I really hope that I am lucky enough to find someone like that... someone that loves me for me and who I love for being him. That kind of love seems to have gone out with the times though. Of the four remaining children two are divorced from husbands who cheated, and suffered addictions that hurt the family. To my knowledge none of the grandkids are divorced yet, and the great and great great grandkids aren't quite old enough, though one great grandson is recently married this past month. Anyway thanks for joining me on my stroll through memory lane, I hope you enjoyed it... it brings back fond memories for me. I've been following a new sort of motto if you will; Remember the Good, Forget the Bad, and Live Your Life Every Day.