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A Family's Roots

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We spent Friday in my Mom’s hometown of Canastoda, New York- a place on the map only because it is home to the “International Boxing Hall of Fame.” It’s a sleepy town of 4,700 where change is reluctant.

You get a real sense of time and history in that town. I mean, check out this old church by the lake. Incredible. The camera (rather my camera skills) do not do it justice.


We went there to attend the funeral of my Mother’s best friend since childhood (my Aunt by intention.) It’s all terribly surreal and tragic I still can't believe she's gone. I don't think any of us have processed her absence yet.

My Mom had to meet a realtor at my late Grandmother's house. I didn't get to attend my Grandmother's service three months ago so I had to say goodbye twice that day.


The walls of that house hold memories since I was three years old, just one year older than my daughter now. When I saw how she tried to scoot down those basement steps like I did as a kid, I was amazed.  When my cousins she had never met showed up, Lavinia ran to them. I couldn’t believe that my typically standoffish child seemed to recognize her own blood. It was beautiful and astonishing.

One Aunt has kept a little of my late Grandfather’s garden going and we all picked some garlic scapes. It made my heart soar to see my little girl dancing among the rows. Her feet gracing the soil where my Grandfather worked on his masterpiece.




We will never go back to that house and now I will have sun soaked memories of saying goodbye, of seeing love and family, roots and blood, in it’s purest form.

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35 36 37 38 Kangaroo Spotting: A Family's Roots

Monday, June 15, 2015

A Family's Roots

We spent Friday in my Mom’s hometown of Canastoda, New York- a place on the map only because it is home to the “International Boxing Hall of Fame.” It’s a sleepy town of 4,700 where change is reluctant.

You get a real sense of time and history in that town. I mean, check out this old church by the lake. Incredible. The camera (rather my camera skills) do not do it justice.


We went there to attend the funeral of my Mother’s best friend since childhood (my Aunt by intention.) It’s all terribly surreal and tragic I still can't believe she's gone. I don't think any of us have processed her absence yet.

My Mom had to meet a realtor at my late Grandmother's house. I didn't get to attend my Grandmother's service three months ago so I had to say goodbye twice that day.


The walls of that house hold memories since I was three years old, just one year older than my daughter now. When I saw how she tried to scoot down those basement steps like I did as a kid, I was amazed.  When my cousins she had never met showed up, Lavinia ran to them. I couldn’t believe that my typically standoffish child seemed to recognize her own blood. It was beautiful and astonishing.

One Aunt has kept a little of my late Grandfather’s garden going and we all picked some garlic scapes. It made my heart soar to see my little girl dancing among the rows. Her feet gracing the soil where my Grandfather worked on his masterpiece.




We will never go back to that house and now I will have sun soaked memories of saying goodbye, of seeing love and family, roots and blood, in it’s purest form.

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posted by Unknown @ 11:27 AM   6 Comments

6 Comments:

At June 15, 2015 at 3:09 PM , Anonymous Robyna | The Mummy & the Minx said...

Aw this post is so beautiful - it brought a little tear to my eye. It's amazing how cousins bond almost instantly. Beautiful to see.

 
At June 15, 2015 at 4:15 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

It really got me too- such an incredible thing to see. We made some wonderful memories on a day that could have been so sad. <3

 
At June 16, 2015 at 6:50 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

What a wonderful post. I am so glad you we able to return home to say some goodbyes this time. My heart hurts for you and the pain of having to move on. But what a great opportunity to be able to make the memories with your sweet Vin and family. Lots of love from CBUS. <3

 
At June 16, 2015 at 12:23 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks Danielle, making memories are what this is all about. Worth every moment of the difficult flight and even being apart from my hubby for this whole time. It's strange and wonderful to see my daughter here where I grew up. xo

 
At June 22, 2015 at 12:00 PM , Blogger susan d said...

Lovely...

 
At June 24, 2015 at 12:07 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you x

 

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