Category Archives: family

a really big family.

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“i have a really big family.”

 

“families don’t have to match. you don’t have to look like someone to love them.”

-leigh anne tuohy

shared.

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each arriving in their own time

 all ending up in the same place

the house on the beautiful lake

missing those not able to come

we played board games

 cooked, hiked, lounged, laughed, read, were loud, were quiet, shared stories and pictures,

and tried to remember to leave nothing but memories behind

ending a great weekend up north with a final family dinner hangout

at the infamous art’s tavern

on an early fall evening

in glen arbor, michigan.

“one of the things that binds us as a family is a shared sense of humor.”

-ralph fiennes

drive.

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not my actual grandson or car, but similar, especially if you didn’t have your glasses on

my eldest grandchild

got his

*Level 1 Learner’s Driver’s License

this week

how is this even possible?

 

* teens with a Level 1 License may only drive with

a licensed parent, guardian or designated licensed adult age 21 or older.

(soon to be a fully licensed independent driver within a year or so)

 

“it’s kind of major, learning to drive. i feel like it kicked up other stuff in my life.”

-noah baumbach

 

both a sword and shield.

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grandma watches over her grandies

on a warm july evening by the huron river 

in argo park, ann arbor

 

“having a grandmother is like having an army. this is a grandchild’s ultimate privilege.

a grandmother is both a sword and a shield.”

-*fredrick backman

(*swedish author and one of my very favorites)

vegas vacation.

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headed out today 

for a 3-generation

family vacation

in vegas

i’m a lightweight

gambler and drinker

but we have lots of other ideas

up our sleeves.

“Pick a number? ! I’m great at that!  Coin toss!! Eddie, these are my games!!”

-Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold (Family Vacation) upon entering a Casino

warmth.

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after yet another unique and powerful winter storm

with lots and lots and lots of

heavy, wet, beautiful, pure white snow

i woke up early to a power outage

spending my morning in the library

with coffee, power bars, and locals

powering up, reading, talking, and writing

watching as a lovely grandmother

kneels down to her young grandson’s level

as she very patiently and quietly

teaches him and then lets him

check out each of his very own books

one by one

gently guiding him as he goes

only when he needs it

 when he proudly finishes his work

he loads each into his own little backpack

she helps him

put on each woolen mitten and zips up his coat

he holds onto her leg as she slowly stands

 they very naturally cradle their hands together

as they make their way out of the library

 back out into the world with beautiful white snow

what a simple yet powerful act of love

that warms me

more than this comfortable and welcoming building ever will

it’s always the people within who do that.

“if a family has an old person in it, it possesses a jewel.”

-chinese proverb

let the game come to you.

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coco knows how to do calm, cool, and cute, all at the same time

 

“you just have to take a deep breath, relax, and let the game come you.”

-a.j. green

 

this says…

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“this says –  i love my whole family.”

 

“writing isn’t letters on paper. it’s communication. it’s memory.”

-isaac marion

b.r.

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why is it that my children were shocked

when i told them that i was born ‘before ranch’ (b.r.)?

shock and awe that i was alive when

cap’n crunch, doritos, $100,00 bars, pop tarts, ding dongs, cool whip, count chocula, and more

came to be

back in the day when food fell into the 

quick, easy, greasy, crunchy, sweet, and fun category

and lived to tell.

 

“my mouth doesn’t want to be quiet.”

-greta, age 4

 

memories gather and dance.

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Toy Department during Christmas season in the J.L. Hudson store, Detroit – 1957

 loved this view of the toy department at the store during the Christmas season.

toys were displayed on shelves, tables, and display cases,

with decorations featuring elves, a sleigh, and reindeer in background.

this is where i went every year

all dressed up fancy

to buy little gifts (with help from the elves) for my family

to see santa

to have a special lunch

 always, always amazed

by the glamour and magic of it all.

“like snowflakes, my christmas memories gather and dance –

each, beautiful, unique, and gone too soon.

-deborah whipp

 

credits: detroit memories, linda yates rudnicki, j.l. hudson’s