Dad died last month, and it’s been a lot of things. It was closure, and sad, and frustrating. That was in the first ten minutes, and then it settled into my bones and became real.
Grandpa and Grandma Maggert
I went to Iowa for the funeral. I connected with people who are my flesh and blood, but have never met. It was an uplifting, somber, joyous mess of a day sandwiched in between two twelve hour drives with my own thoughts.
I miss my dad, I ache for my mom, and still have flashes where I think both are alive. I don’t know if that will ever pass.
My cousin Richine– well, I saw her and knew we were kin, and it felt like a gift. She sent me a hundred or more pictures of my family that I’ve never seen, dating back to the 1930s. It’s a treasure. My cousin walked me across the old farm and pointed out the place my grandmother was killed in 1955. I miss her, even though we’ve never met, and wonder how life would have gone for all of us if she had lived.
It’s a time of possibilities and sadness, metered through a lens of my own family. We are unique, identifiable, and now that I’ve been back to Iowa, more connected.
I’ll be in Columbia, South Carolina on Nov. 11 for the Authors Invade Columbia Event. Stop by and see me if you’re around. Check out the page here: Sakarlina, Y’all! Come see me!
Sweet photo of them. Hope you are coping okay. X
Thank you, friend KT, and hello, you’re incredibly kind.
My aunt was your Grandpa Maggert’s second wife. I’m sorry I don’t remember your dad because he was several years older than me but I remember Mick and Dennie a little, also I am a cousin to your dad’s half brother and sisters. I was so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. My sister in law went to school with your dad and his siblings and she told me several times that it was so amazing that all the boys in that family were so good looking. And I am going to read your books. I have read reviews on a couple of them and I am sure I will love every one of them.
Marcia, I’m so glad to connect with you, even during this time. Reach out to me on Facebook; I’d love to give you a book. We’re family.:-)