Family Page 2

MY FAMILY PAGE

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A little about my family---My wonderful parents married in 1957. My mother was 28 and my father was 35 years old. In 1959 they had my brother Patrick, and in 1960 came Brian. By this time they moved to Long Island and began a new life. Then between 1963 and 1966 they had three little girls, Joanie, Sharon and Diane. My mother had quite a bit of trouble with her pregnancies, she had 3 miscarriages during 1959 and 1966 and each one of us children were ceasaren section. She Thanked the Lord eveyday for her children.   The house was a bit crowded considering it only had 3 bedrooms and one bathroom.   That's right, we all had to share rooms growing up, my brothers in one and me and my sisters in the other. It was real difficult having only one bathroom but we all managed.     When my brother Patrick got married and had his first child, Maria he asked my parents if he could move back in and make the attic into a room. He worked very hard on that room and it came out really nice. Then he moved out again and my sister Joanie finally got her own room.   After a few years, Joanie got married and I, at the age of 21 got to move into the new room. So that left Brian and Diane with there own rooms too.   But to tell you the truth, I think back on those times of sharing and I truly miss them. For we not only shared a room but we shared a life. My sisters and I had many talks and shared many dreams.   There are alot of great memories from those years and I think that's what kept us all so close.
Now as we grew so did the family; Patrick married and had two wonderful litle girls Maria and Kristin.
Joanie married Paul and was blessed with two boys, Charles and Matthew.
Brian married Ginny and they have a sweet little girl, Sierra Rose.
Diane and I were still at home with Mom and Dad. There was a special bond between me and my parents that was so unique and they were one of the most important thing in my life.   The family would get together and we would have such wonderful times. In my eyes, Life was grand and I enjoyed spending it with my family.
Then in 1996, the day after my 31st birthday my world was shattered. My father passed away and I was devastated.   To make matters worse, right after he passed we found out my mother had Dementia and would get worse as time went on.   To read about her battle with dementia go to My Dealing With Dementia story. There you will also find special links to my other pages dedicated to her like her Memorial Page and The Special gift page.
The family has changed and sometimes it's so hard to face another day but one most go on and time will heal all wounds they say. I know I will be able to carry on because my parents have taught me some important lessons in life. They have given me courage, strength and the ability to face life without them. I miss them both dearly and I wish they could be right here by my side physically but I know they are always watching over me from heaven.

One of the truest statements I have ever heard:
You can pick your friends but you can't pick your family. Well I've been lucky enough to have great friends but I am also very proud to say I have a great immediate family also.   My father and mother did a good job raising
5 children. They taught us many values, morals and the importance of family.   I'm not saying its been a bed of roses growing up with my brothers and sisters. We had our arguments and fights but as we grew up we became closer. Now that we are grown and have our own lives it's more difficult to have that close relationship. We still have arguments and they always seem to upset me but I wouldn't trade them for the world.

You see, Now that both my wonderful parents have passed it's been a difficult journey that I know will get better with time. I just have one question though........
Why is it that a death destroys families? Since the passing of my mother I feel very much alone. While I cared for my mother the last 5 years the family was still bonded together (like the thread of the pillow on my special gift page) but after her passing the family is slowly being torn apart. It kills me to see this.   Family is the most important thing in life and if it cannot be repaired you have nothing.   For my brothers and sisters that may be reading this, please remember the values, morals, and the importance of family that our beloved parents taught us. Let's try our best to keep the thread that holds us together in one piece and remember that I love you.

I have one regret and that is not being close to my relatives. I have many cousins, aunts, and uncles that I wish I could see more often and talk with. I am working on a family tree at the moment and it's so sad that I don't even know some of my relatives. To me, family is the most important thing in life and researching your past and present is one of the most interesting things you can do because it's a very big part of you.

ABC'S of Family

Ancestors began it all
Believing in a dream
Coming to America
Distant places left behind
Envisioning a new life
Families began
Generation to generation
How we all came to be
Is interesting to me
Just think for a minute
Keeping records of the past and
Linking them altogether
Makes it all worthwhile
Now and then
One by one we became a family
Plenty of love and support
Quilted throughout our lives
Remembering special moments
Sharing life's simple pleasures
Thankful for what we have
Unconditional love and understanding
Values and morals instilled in each one of us
Waiting for my time
X-cited about what the future may hold
Yearning to start a family of my own
Zealously waiting for the wonderful gift of love and life.

Written by: Sharon

Memories are treasured,each one holding a special place in one's heart

Only mother can quiet one's fears, support their dreams and offer encouragement in each step we take.

The beauty of her voice, the warmth of her hands, the gentleness in her touch

Helps us to become who we are, which in reality is just a reflection of everything she is

Everyday I Thank God for this wonderous gift he created

Realizing that I too someday might know the joy of motherhood

Sacrificing all for the sake of a child, expecting nothing in return

Written by: Diane

A special note to five wonderful children who mean the world to me....

In age order they are Maria, Kristin, Charles, Sierra, and Matthew. These wonderful kids are my nieces and nephews. I would like to let them know that no matter what happens they are always with me and I am here for them if they should ever need me. Whether we're together or apart they are always in my heart. I love them all so much and nothing will change the special bond I have with each one of them. See the SPECIAL MESSAGE poem I wrote to my nieces and nephews after the passing of my mother.

Click on the link for a family update

UPDATE ON FAMILY 2006-2008
EXPLANATION OF HOW I WOUND UP IN ROANOKE, VA.

Where would like to go next.........