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Mary Jo Brown: Family generations, gatherings

Mary Jo Brown
Mary Jo Brown
Mary_Jo_Brown

With October gone our thoughts now turn to November, the coming of Thanksgiving and perhaps a family get-together. Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is probably one that calls for gathering together with family to enjoy a hearty meal and getting caught up on how everyone is doing. These days getting families together is not easy for a lot of reasons, which makes it even more special when it does happen. Recently, I had a very nice thing happen. I got to see loved ones from all four of the generations younger than me. My grandson Justin dropped in for a visit and to give me a picture of his son, Trey. It was great seeing him and even more special since he recently moved from Craig to Bailey and was just back to take care of his outfitting business.

Later that day, my daughter came by and with her was my great-granddaughter Haley and her new son, Caemden, making it a five-generation day if you counted me. I have added this day to my Thanksgiving list of things to be thankful for, as I was blessed to be able to see those I don’t get to see very often. I can kind of keep up with the family since my daughter showed me how to use Facebook — or whatever that’s called — on the computer, but to be able to see, feel and talk to them in person is very special. Family members move away because of jobs, education or other various reasons, and it makes you realize just how much you miss them when they are not around.

The gathering of family and all the various ages that get together results in new memories made and old ones revisited. Often there is the comparing of younger family members’ actions and behaviors to those of their elders and the memories of days gone by. I enjoy getting caught up on the family news and views about where they are and where they hope to be. There is nothing in this world like being with my family, so to get to visit with some I only hear from long distance is wonderful. I give thanks each day for them. We all have rough times, but we aren’t promised an easy life and need family love and support to make it through. Mostly we need to realize that life is what you make it, and we need to value the times we have with those we love. Holidays are the perfect time to do just that and not get wrapped up in the stress of preparations of the perfect holiday, as my daughter tells me “don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff in the long run. With that in mind, I go on and enjoy my family and find ways to do more of what I used to with the knowledge that I tried and took it one day at a time.



Birthday wishes go out to Phyllis Varela, Chanelle Southard and Justin Gallegos.


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