Grandma On Getting Older – “GOGO”
Grandma “GOGO” used to always say – “You can always be sure of one thing in this “LIFE” time – You will pay taxes and then die!” “WOW!” Maybe a hundred years ago – those words meant a lot – and to be sure that they were remembered – I was so lucky to get to hear all this. Grandma “GOGO” had a special way of saying some things – she reminded me of the movie star actress, “Bette Davis” in looks and how she would have enunciated special words – you knew – that what you are hearing – is to be remembered – forever! This message came across to lots of people – since she was born under the sign of – “Balance” – “LIBRA” –some times these people come across on the side sliding up or down and when that happens – she could give you “enunciated” words in such a way that would let you know exactly the “CORRECT” point of view – and don’t ever forget it!
Having thought about the death and taxes – there are a few other things, today – that we need to give some serious thought to? People are living longer – but how? Just to exist is not the way we should let our “living” evolve? We need to give some thought to having a more “fulfilled” type of “LIFE” – our time here on earth should say something – be meaningful to and for our family and environment? Existence should proclaim a “LEGACy” – some kind of “MEANING” to the “TIME” you were here!
The “Journey” we are on – and the PATHS we have selected will be making connections that will determine what we will be looking forward to – for all eternity – will we have made the right choices along the way? Is each and every physical relationship made to the most precious “Gift” that we can give? Our “LIFE” here is a gift that is parted out to all those who enter into our Life-Path and we take on some of the gifts given to us and add purpose and benefits to those gifts received and spread out bigger and better portions – as we go along – on our journey.
That’s the “LEGACY” that we must leave behind – that special part of us – and with all the best that we are able to add to it – “We receive and donate to the “GIFTS” and pass on to the next generations – keeping the “JOURNEY” safe and better – each time we pass it on!”
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“GO” Grandma!
Grandma is “Getting Older” – and as “Time goes by” – there are things to do to make the future just a little better – than all of the yesterdays! Do you; also receive the same “first” question that I receive –“HOW ARE YOU?” Is this question ask because, you are not looking as good as you did – way back when – or is it because, you really look terrible?
After looking at some old family pictures – some of the family members old pictures that were taken when these members of the family were very young, but they looked like they were born “old looking” – if that is possible? And as I go through these photos – and the same family member is actually getting older and more mature in life – they are now getting younger looking and so much better looking – you begin to wonder what are they doing in “LIFE” to make such a drastic change for the better?
Take for instance Grandma Marie Brady McClarren – I have posted some baby pictures and as a baby and small child her hair was almost “white” – and she was called “Cotton Top” – and then in grade school, her hair was turning blond and in High School she had a very nice shade of brown hair. The highly noticeable difference from the norm – is that when she was in her seventies and died – she had such a thick and full head of the darkest brown hair and no gray and no “old age white” hair as most senior citizens leave this world with? Also, does the placement in the family – her being the 13th make a difference as to how much of the basic and necessary genes to make color in a body – were there enough left for her to receive her full quota?
The next difference in the old family photos is when looking at the time line photos of Irene Brady Riley? There are no baby photos as she was born in 1888 – and even though the “Family” had money and they did have plenty of professional photographic photos of every man in the family – there are none available of Irene? The few pictures that I have – and that maybe – Irene was not able to get her hands on to destroy – show her as not the best looking of a very young girl – but as “Time goes by” Irene improves in the “Good Looks” department! Irene seems to fill out better and her face fills out and she is a “Good Looking” Senior Citizen!
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“Good-bye” from – Aunt Irene
We just spent one week remembering “Aunt Irene Riley” with some of the pictures that we had taken and some very old photos – like the one above! If there is one message that I could pass on – to those who care about their family and would like for all the next generations to be able to understand – just a little better – why things in the old days went this way instead of that way – what better way would there be – than to pull out an old “FAMILY” library showing pictures and with a few words explaining the photo adding lots of details – – as everyone knows that a good photo is worth a “THOUSAND” words!
Aunt Irene was not one to wear lots of black – it just was not a good color for her. What does come to mind – looking at this photo – dressed all in black – time for a “FUNERAL” – and Aunt Irene’s age in this photo – this could very well have been – when she was in mourning? Little ten (10) year old Bernard was killed when a drunken truck driver – jumped the curb and hit Little Bernard. That was a very depresssing time for everyone who knew Little Bernard – he was the smartest, most outgoing kid – so full of fun – and a real joy to be with and around – by everybody!
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Aunt Irene and Girl-Friends!
This picture is “One Hundred Years Old” and as you can see “Lucky” to have survived this long – as no one has taken very good care of these old pictures?
Aunt Irene is on the right and in the white dress – the other ladies I do not know – but these ladies each month, hold their meetings – so that each lady has all the others – for an afternoon of “good eats” and “card playing” – and with prizes to win – and I know each of the ladies tries to out do the other! Remember, back in these “good ole days” the women stayed at home while the husband went out to work! There was no “TV” and not much in radio – so, if a lady was tired of needle-work and sewing – and crocheting and knitting and the such – may as well learn how to play cards!
Aunt Irene was a terrific player of Canasta – Bridge – Pinochle and I have several decks of her old cards – so if I would have the time to play cards – maybe I would be “LUCKY” – using her cards?
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Aunt Irene gets St. Louis Tour!
Aunt Irene is celebrating with her niece, Mary Ellen, who is taking these pictures – also doing the driving. In the above pictures, with Aunt Irene is Mrs. Ralph (Cathy) Stanley and her five (5) children. The girls names are Denise and Diane – the oldest boy Ralph and the other two – I would have to check my Christmas card list? Also, my son, Lee Jr. with the Pirate’s Hat and sword. Baby Al is on his way – but that will be a few months away?
Since, Aunt Irene lived in the South Saint Louis area, we probally started our “TOUR” by stopping at one of the South St.Louis Gardens – then to the Forest Park area where we stopped at the St.Louis ZOO to see their show that they have for the children – then to see the “BEARS” as we do have pictures that were taken there , and also to the “FEEDING THE ANIMALS” area – that allows small children for a small price have a milk jug to feed the “baby” animals. Have some pictures of the kids doing the feeding and it is a good thing – that I took “MOVIE” pictures to see forever!
When we would drive up to Saint Louis, from Ft.Lauderdale, Florida – we would stay at least a month and enjoy visiting with all the family – it was possible since my husband’s oldest son, Tom Aldrich – under the guidance of his Uncle Al Aldrich, was able to take care of the restaurants, while we were visiting family and renewing friendships!
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“Celebrating with Nephew’s Daughters!”
Aunt Irene Riley is still celebrating her “BiRTHDAY” with Cheryl and Chris McClarren – beautiful daughters of her nephew, Thomas McClarren.
When you are pushing the big 80 – the best thing to do is take time – to thank “Almighty God” – for all the wonderful blessings you have received – starting with good health, that you were able to walk to Church each and every day – that your mind is still remembering everything and can live alone , after your husband passed on – that you still have the ability to cook and make good meals for yourself and friends – that you still have the energy to clean your house – that you have a very good Doctor and Lawyer, so that those important things are not giving you any major worries – the best of all blessings, family and friends that can be sure you have the transportation to get wherever you need to go and on time!
The best blessing in LIFE is to have a family – that you are born into that loves you and provides all of the best – so that your LIFE will start with the the best of starts – so that if you also marry well, as you did – you have many blessings to be very grateful and thankful for. And, as I am also giving Thanks for all of my own – blessings – it is wonderful to have Nieces and Nephews, that never forget to invite you out for all of the “BIG CELEBRATIONS” – because – when you are “BLESSED” there are many “Celebrations” to attend!
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