Well, my sister finally passed away. It’s been a long time coming since she had lived with Multiple Sclerosis for 25 years. This is a photo of her oldest child with my son. The big kid was adopted into my parents family in 1980. The little one born into the extended clan in 2004. The oldest and youngest cousins. There are 12 more in between.
I like how this photo flips.
It feels like life that way. One body tumbling into another. Both caught up in the dizzying mess of it all.
My sister and her ex-husband raised four children. Two adopted. Two naturally born.
Sweet kids, my sister’s four. A kind of mongeral little family complete in its incompleteness within the larger birth mythology of my Mother’s Family. I used to take them thrifting at the local thrift temple back in the 90’s. The four of them worked really hard, and quite sucessfully to stay sane amist the disater of thier mom’s illness and all it’s tragedy. I was happy to be thier cool uncle. And I’m happy to be playing that role now. Sitting here in the shadow of the Wasatch Front. Contemplating my benedictory words. On my brother’s 47th birthday. Days of 47! “How circular, how strange . . .”
Women with MS probably shouldn’t have children. It was the ultimate sacrifice for the next generation.
Here’s to my sister! And her sweet raga-muffin kids! (and to her dopey ex-husband, john the beloved smuck. . . )
How circular. How strange. How much like life.
and how much like lane that i screwed up all the returns and fu**ed up the site for a day… : ) sorry.
fix it if you want or leave it be.
hey KATE!
: -)
Lane, I’m so sorry to hear this news. It sounds like your sister was a tough cookie, and also big-hearted. It’s rare when families get along, and even better when they’re large and cobbled together – mine is like that too. I hope the picture turns right-side-up again for you soon.
Thank you for sharing this photo and your memories of your sister’s family.
I especially loved this part: “One body tumbling into another. Both caught up in the dizzying mess of it all.” So interesting to think of life this way.
All best to you and your family as you mourn and heal.
I’m sorry for your and your family’s loss, Lane. This is a beautiful remembrance.
Big hugs to you, E. Nalt Witchell… Thanks for this lovely post.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Just catching up. This is lovely Lane. I am so glad her children have you to keep their mom’s spirit alive and well.
thnx everyone, you all were the inspiration. i’ve really liked everyone’s posts about family issues, and great pics! so … there u go. and i’ll be taking some more cool pics this weekend. for a much much better event. : )
stay tuned… !