Family, family traditions

When No One is Left to Remember

| Flower Roberts

We are just about to this point in my family. Mom will turn 93 next week. She has dementia. Daddy is gone. I have questions that no one can answer. That is a hard reality.


I did do one smart thing years ago. I made each of the grandparents a memory book. The ones that can be purchased were too much for elderly folks to fill in.

Grandparents’ Books


I kept the questions simple and added some art to each page. I interviewed my parents using it and filled in answers. Stories were told. Pages and photos were added.

Now we have books titled: Who are you? We really want to know. These books will answer some questions when no one is left to remember. Life ends fast. Time passes.

I thought of these today as I was pondering the plight of the poor folks in California who must flee the fires. I was asking myself what I would take with me. These books would be in the first box out.

FLOW

Who Will be the Glue?

| Flower Roberts

The question everybody asks right after “Are you ready for Christmas? is “What are you doing over the holidays?” This question had an automatic response until recently.
Now that Daddy is gone and Mama’s in a home, the answer is more complicated. There is no grandmother’s house to travel to.


Our children are grown, our cousins are scattered. Our aunts and uncles are not so spry and energetic anymore. Who will be the glue?


I am going to nominate my sister. She has a house all to herself. Nobody makes messes or gobbles up her food as fast as she makes it. Her house is already decorated. She is nicer than I am anyway and everybody knows where she lives.


Somebody has to be the family glue! She talks to everybody on the phone. This makes her the family favorite, so I think she is the most logical choice for our holiday hostess.

Everybody meet at her house around 10:30 Christmas morning. Bring your favorite dish and a gag gift. You out-of-state folks may need to pack sleeping bags. All pets welcome.

Don’t mention this to her though. I want it to be a SURPRISE!

FLOW