A few weeks ago, we took to the road to attend my Uncle Dennis’ funeral in Chicago. He was the youngest and last of the three brothers in my Dad’s family.
3 Brothers, 3 Uncles, 3 Dads
(date unknown but maybe early 1940s)
My Aunt Dolores, as the baby in the family, is now the sole surviving sibling. Most everyone is sitting at that Family Table up in heaven now…
Ma’s bd day, February 6th, recently came and went and I’m missing all of you guys…
“Ma, this is what I wanted to play for you the day before you passed away; I wanted you to be the first to hear it – finally finished and ready to record – I wanted you to know – to feel me there with you, to be a part of your leaving us. Me.
me, 2008
But I was too afraid…It’s taken me this long to understand why. Somehow deep inside I thought if I could play it for you, it would work its musical magic and you’d awaken – and be back with all of us. I couldn’t face you awakening somewhere else, someplace I couldn’t go along with you.”
Afterwards, on the way back home from Chicago somewhere in Kentucky, our 2003 Toyota Camry reached a milestone 444,444 miles. We’re getting closer to our return trip from the moon – it is now at 445,685, only 4,315 (at perigee) miles left to go!
My Saturday Project:
Baked up a batch of my “Laura’s Lovelies” – thusly named by Amy-next-door during a ‘circle’ block party (we lived on a cul-de-sac) in the old neighborhood ~ Lafayette, CO circa 1988.
My Sunday Project:
Eating above Saturday Project – with multiple cups of java of course! 🙂
Laura, you are talented and the music is sublime, giving me good goosebumps as I’m listening to it! What a special piece and it is perfectly titled! I feel for your loss of your uncle recently and it must be especially tough on your Aunt Dolores. Your bake looks delicious and a perfect way to spend a Sunday! Hugs, Annika xx
Annika – this got buried in my comment file! Yikes! Thank you so much for such a heartfelt response to my music – you’re a gem.
Such a moving post, Laura. And that note to your Ma… I’m also so sorry for the recent loss of your uncle. Love and strength to you and the rest of the family. <3
Thank you – I appreciate your comment, it means alot.
Great photo of the brothers! Like you, I have one aunt left—Mom’s younger sister. It’s funny the things you remember from when you were a kid. She used to flex her bicep for us and we couldn’t believe how hard it was.
Chocolate chip cookies are delicios fresh out of the oven, but I’ve always been partial to freezing them.
I don’t know I’ve ever heard of a vehicle with that many miles. You’ll have to post a pictue when you hit the milestone, Laura.
Ha! I love the image of your Aunt impressing her kids and nieces and nephews with her firm biceps!
Always so sad and hard when our parents generation passes and makes us think about our transient lives. But we can try and pass on their love and memories. And bake!
HA! Agreed – bake on!
🙂
Well, well, well. Those cookies drew me in . . . I would say that Amy aptly named them. I’m sorry to hear about your Uncle’s passing. Even more, I’m distressed that you didn’t play that for your Mom. She heard it anyway, but she would have loved to hear it one day earlier. I do understand why – I’m not trying to sound judgmental. It wasn’t meant to be. {{Hugs}} Man, your Camry is holding up well. I’m sure you are taking good care of it – I’m rooting for those last few moon miles! {{Hugs}} a bunch. ~smile~ Roseanne
Oh Roseanne, not to worry! Ma heard me play plenty over the course of our lives…It just hit me hard at the time, ya know? Reliving those poignant moments can be cathartic and healing.
Take care and hugs back atchya!
Laura, thank you for the deeply touching post and song. Loss doesn’t get any easier does it? I hope there is solace for you. Best.
You’re welcome – thank you for reading/listening.
peace
So sorry for your loss. That photo of the brothers together looking happy is a nice way to remember them.
What an advertisement for Toyota Camrys! My family is a Toyota family, I’ve been the only rebel trying other brands. Plan is to go to Toyota in the future and stay with it.
The cookies looks incredibly delicious – nice feature photo – yum!
Thanks, Tierney. About our Camry as an advert item for Toyota, see my reply to skvanzandt.
For me none of the older generation, aunts and uncles, is still around. It’s weird to realize you’re the older generation now. How’d that happen? Your Camry makes me smile. Ever onward, both for us and the car, eh?
Ever onward – yes!
Sorry to hear of your loss, Laura. Peace and the comfort of God’s love to you and your family.
I enjoyed your music – very interesting. It felt as though you were remembering things – like the melody was a path of sorts, winding back on itself, if that makes sense.
The cookies look yummy. And all I can say about your car is – Wowser!
Thank you for your thoughtful comments about my music. It’s always a treat to hear a listener’s reactions to my pieces upon first listen.
About the Camry: wowser for sure! When we reached 400K we contacted Toyota. We thought maybe they’d be impressed or at the very least add us to some imaginary list of such milestone cars as a point of pride. But no – just a note (at least they wrote back!) saying something to the effect of: “But of course, it’s a Toyota!”
Well, yeah, but…
I don’t have so many aunts and uncles left now. That generation is passing into memory, while the next generation is taking up the baton. I feel connected though, still. Sorry for your loss.
Coming from a large extended family – plenty of cousins & stories – makes the ending of this generation symbolic of that changing of the guard you talk about. This time around, us cousins weren’t as grief stricken so much as grateful for the connections that still exist amongst us all and the legacy our respective parents gave all of us: Family is Forever.
I know you understand.
I do ❤️
So sorry about your uncle!
Thank you, LA.
I am sure your mother can hear your music and is smiling.
I thought that ‘to the moon and back’ was only a metaphor to express deep emotion. For you two it is real!
I am sorry for the sadness of loss. At the same time I love the photograph of those three young men pulling in their stomachs for the photograph ???
Glad you baked and enjoyed those cookies
Thank you Mariss for such fun insights into my little ‘notes’ post!
Well, if there are misspellings in this comment, it’s because I’m a little teary-eyed while I read and listen to your beautiful music. The older I get, the more I cherish those who are no longer with me, and wish for just a little more time with them, right? Cookies are good comfort food. 444,444 plus – wowzers!
Do you think those cookies would make for a good fika? I’d be honored if so!
Wendy, I’ve always cherished the thought of you quilting with my music in the background, as you’ve said you’ve done. Perhaps your focus on your Grandmother’s block inspired quilt made for those teary-eyes to be closer to the surface at this time. hugs
I love that picture of the three dudes! So sorry for your loss but I bet you have some wonderful memories.
The cookies look yummy. I’m also impressed with your Camry’s mileage. I love that you track its journey to and back from the moon. I don’t think I’ve owned a car that has broken 100,000 miles.
The three dudes – I love that title! 🙂
My condolences, Laura. Oh my goodness, those cookies just stared me in the face, and looked so good. I also listened to the music, and remember this piece, I really like it. Wishing you good days ahead.
Jane, it touches me to know my music has been a part of your life. Thank you for that.
As for those cookies – I’d send you some, but know they’d travel far worse than twizzlers in the postal system HA!
🙂
Oh, Laura, my condolences! My 97-year-old mother-in-law, like Dolores, is the last of her generation in our family. I am the oldest in mine. Interesting how those things are in the back of our minds.
Thank you for sharing the lovely music. Your mother must have been extremely proud of all of your musical accomplishments and enjoyed hearing your performances and compositions. I am sure there is something of her essence in your work that will always be with you!
Take care. <3
Thank you, Cheryl. The dynamics of birth order and generational layers is part of what makes up the fabric of family relationships and makes it so strong and resilient…
And thank you for taking the time to listen to the music!
Thank you for sharing your dad, uncles, mom, traveling, music, and chocolate chip cookies. I have a big smile and a warm heart!
You’re welcome, Jennie! I’m smiling, too…
?
I am sorry for the loss of your Uncle Dennis, Laura! I hope you have many sweet memories of him!
Those cookies look scrumptious! And chocolate chip cookies are one of the top comfort foods…at least in my book! 🙂
Comfort food, yes! But not the best for quilting treats – kinda melty-messy! HA! (I’m working on a baby quilt for my bachelor cousin, and it’s slow going, as usual!)
My condolences, Laura, for your loss. And I’m impressed that you traveled all the way to Chicago in a 2003 Camry! You must be taking excellent care of that car 🙂 And your Sunday project sounds perfect.
Yep, that Camry has seen a thing or two!
I endorse the need for cookies in this situation!
🙂
I think I remember you saying to went to Chicago (though I could be misremembering). I’m so sorry about your uncle! My deepest condolences, Laura, on his passing. May the Lord’s peace and comfort be with you and your family.
The cookies look delicious!
You remembered correctly, L.Marie. Thank you for your sentiments. Extra hugs to you in these early weeks of your own ‘first year’ loss of your father…