Big feels reading this! I was raised from ages 5ish? to 12 by my maternal step-grandfather — the only father figure I’ve had — and it was like you wrote about. Family visited his house often - technically my step family (his kids from a previous marriage, and their partners/kids, but we were all like family) - and the Christmas season especially was a highlight. Talk about childhood dreams! It was magical. He was my constant in an otherwise tumultuous family- there when my mom wasn’t, even when she was present.
After my mom moved me out at age 12, I rarely saw my step-cousins or aunts/uncles. I made a point to visit my grandpa often once I moved out at 18, and am so glad I did, as he died a few years later. I never saw any other family members after that, and no one called back to tell me when or where his funeral was, so I unwillingly missed it. The lack of closure was hard.
A few years ago I got an arm sleeve tattoo dedicated to my grandpa on my right arm, and I love how it reminds me of him multiple times a day every time I look down and see it. He was definitely the lynchpin of my shuffled family, and the reason for anything positive or productive I have turned out to be.
Michelle, just wanted to start by saying thank you SO much for sharing the story of your self-grandfather. Honestly, he sounds like he was a total legend. There is a special place for these people who take on responsibility for children who are not their own (my mam adopted my nephew, so I've seen this first-hand).
I'm so glad you got to connect with him before he passed away too, and it's delightful to hear about a man who is a lynchpin, too. Obsessed with the idea of a tattoo sleeve to remember him! That's sooo cool.
Also I think the "actively trying to lose subscribers" comment was me...also said with love! Writing what you want to write about, not chasing the subs and weeding out the wrong-uns
This is such a sweet post! I hope Miri had a wonderful day!
That ‘person’ in our family was my late Aunt. She never forgot a birthday card, always picked up ‘a little something that reminded me of you’, and would try in vain to cajole us into a family get-together every Christmas.
I have a small family with the ones we’re in touch with living abroad or in other cities so her efforts were always much appreciated because we’ve never really been one of those ‘always hanging out’ close families (and found ourselves very much isolated while I was growing up.)
By contrast, Bish’s entire family and extended family and family friends have always treated us / me like close family and it was bizarre to me at first, but it’s actually one of the loveliest things about them. At our blessing party my friend was finally able to eat her lunch in peace because all the aunties wanted to play with her little girl and whisked her off for cuddles!
Big feels reading this! I was raised from ages 5ish? to 12 by my maternal step-grandfather — the only father figure I’ve had — and it was like you wrote about. Family visited his house often - technically my step family (his kids from a previous marriage, and their partners/kids, but we were all like family) - and the Christmas season especially was a highlight. Talk about childhood dreams! It was magical. He was my constant in an otherwise tumultuous family- there when my mom wasn’t, even when she was present.
After my mom moved me out at age 12, I rarely saw my step-cousins or aunts/uncles. I made a point to visit my grandpa often once I moved out at 18, and am so glad I did, as he died a few years later. I never saw any other family members after that, and no one called back to tell me when or where his funeral was, so I unwillingly missed it. The lack of closure was hard.
A few years ago I got an arm sleeve tattoo dedicated to my grandpa on my right arm, and I love how it reminds me of him multiple times a day every time I look down and see it. He was definitely the lynchpin of my shuffled family, and the reason for anything positive or productive I have turned out to be.
Here’s to the lynchpins! ❤️
Michelle, just wanted to start by saying thank you SO much for sharing the story of your self-grandfather. Honestly, he sounds like he was a total legend. There is a special place for these people who take on responsibility for children who are not their own (my mam adopted my nephew, so I've seen this first-hand).
I'm so glad you got to connect with him before he passed away too, and it's delightful to hear about a man who is a lynchpin, too. Obsessed with the idea of a tattoo sleeve to remember him! That's sooo cool.
We love you! ❤️
Also I think the "actively trying to lose subscribers" comment was me...also said with love! Writing what you want to write about, not chasing the subs and weeding out the wrong-uns
Hahaha I know, I thought it was very funny and a pretty good take on how I operate this email so had to include it
Great post, Ellen! Really enjoyed it this week.
Thanks so much Rosy for taking the time to comment!!
My pleasure. Good writing should always be applauded.
This is such a sweet post! I hope Miri had a wonderful day!
That ‘person’ in our family was my late Aunt. She never forgot a birthday card, always picked up ‘a little something that reminded me of you’, and would try in vain to cajole us into a family get-together every Christmas.
I have a small family with the ones we’re in touch with living abroad or in other cities so her efforts were always much appreciated because we’ve never really been one of those ‘always hanging out’ close families (and found ourselves very much isolated while I was growing up.)
By contrast, Bish’s entire family and extended family and family friends have always treated us / me like close family and it was bizarre to me at first, but it’s actually one of the loveliest things about them. At our blessing party my friend was finally able to eat her lunch in peace because all the aunties wanted to play with her little girl and whisked her off for cuddles!