24 October 2005

Happy anniversary, Kyle and Peggy.



43 years ago my parents married. A few hours after the simple ceremony, my military pilot father flew to Cuba, entrusting my mother to the care of her parents until he returned. Instead of complying with everyone else's wishes, my newly-wedded mother took the family dog (which, although a female, had been named for her high school sweetheart), rented an apartment, and immediately set up her independent household. She bought furniture. The dog disappeared. My grandmother was the one who found Bo, Jr.; she was sitting, waiting on the corner in front of a house the family had lived in years before, just blocks away from the apartment where my mother was settling. In four months my father returned safely from Cuba. He and my mother didn't live happily ever after, but they loved and they lived until they died and somewhere in there they made me. Sometimes I miss them so terribly, like the missing is brand new--a fresh deep cut, not a still-tender decades-old stripe that tries to erase itself in vain.

I believe they are happy and busy. And together. I imagine them celebrating their anniversary in many joyful ways they were unable to here. I hope they know I'm thinking of them with love and gratitude and understanding. And I can't help but make a selfish wish and hope that they're proud of who they made.


9 comments:

Jamie said...

Oh, I don't know if it's the pregnancy hormones or your excellent writing--probably both--but this post made me bawl. I am still sniffling and I hope I am spelling right cuz I can't see. Georgia, you live with such grace and humility and love, I don't know how your parents could ever be less that THRILLED with who you have become. I know there is so much you struggle with privately, quietly. When I think of all that you have been through, you have no right to be as right-thinking, sane, serene, and gentle as you are! A few months ago I whined to you about missing "my people" (who, admittedly, do consitute a "Tribe," so great is our number though we are scattered)and you wrote back with assurances that we all miss our people sometimes, but what you DIDN'T say reminded me how blessed I am that they are at least a phone call or an email away. I still have that comfort in my lonely times, wheras you have to do some imagining and hoping and praying and remembering. I am rambling, but I just want you know (excuse my Elton John moment) how wonderful life is while you're in the world. Love you. PS: I remember that picture of your family and your gorgeous poncho and I LOVE IT!

Christa said...

Georgia--
you look so much like your mother! she was beautiful just like you! i really enjoyed reading this blog. i was thinking about how much death puts life in a totally different perspective...it also made me think of how grateful i am for the gospel and the truth it gives us that we can reunite with the ones we love some day. and...i thought the picture was really cute :).

Emily said...

lovely, this is one of the loveliest posts I've ever seen. Thank You!

Scott said...

I could not possibly expalin how this post touched me. Please just know that it did. I am belssed and honoured to call you 'friend'.

Chemical Billy said...

Geo, you must know that they would be proud of you. My life (just to name one) is so much richer for you.

This was lovely.

Elizabeth said...

I loved this post. Something about wanting to connect and stay connected. There's something so beautiful about the missing/grieving. In the same way that the pain doesn't go away, it seems a witness (and reassuring) that life goes on and that no one will ever be able to take their place. Something nice about how they live on, and live on in you, too. I like to think that they take a peek on you every now and then and are aware of what's going on. I'd be proud of you.

Carina said...

Hi Geo,

October 24th is my anniversary as well. Good vintage. I think we met earlier this year at Emily Shakespeare Nielson's Hen Party. I brought the sugarless pear tart and you invited me to knitting nights (and I, sadly true to form, never went.)

Rynell said...

What a wonderful tribute... I loved it so much it brought tears. And I am sure that they are so proud of you.

Geo said...

Thanks, sweet Rynell.