Connecting One Generation to Another

Recently, for kicks, my lovely aunt typed in my grandfather's name into Google. Actually she typed every single one of our names, but this one amazed me. I mean I was simply struck.

She typed in his name intending to find my brother somewhere but because my brother shares the exact name with my grandfather, my great-grandfather and my great-great-grandfather this came up: She clicked on one of Google's links and then realized it was a digitized article from the 'Pomeroy Tribune'. She looked at the date and realized it contained simple information about my great great grandfather in 1891. I was staring at the computer screen seeing a couple sentences about my great grandfather and a baseball game he pitched in as an adult.

The fact that someone digitized that telegraph from so long ago amazed me. Having something that linked me to my grandfather whom I never knew, and will never know, stunned me. I had an overwhelming feeling---- the kind that comes when cross paths with a certain person who suddenly makes the world feel small. The kind that comes and makes you just stand there and stare in unbelief.

I cant believe there is something actually out there that connects me to my great-great-grandfather over 118 years ago. It connects the 19th century to the 21st.

Ten Saint Patty's Ago

If you were at Logan Airport 10 years ago tonight, you'd see an energetic grandmother holding a four-year-old boy's hand trailing luggage behind her. You'd see a mother walking with an eight year-old girl and a six-year-old boy, all carrying travel bags filled with summer clothes.

We, my brothers, grandmother and mom, were boarding a plane bound for the tropical island of Puerto Rico. The first time we'd been out of the 48 consecutive states. We traded the bitter cold of New England for palm trees and an 85-degree breeze!

I always approach Saint Patrick's day with somewhat of a solemn feeling. A good feeling really because I'm flooded with memories of that trip, but it's just a yearly reminder that time is not passing, but flying by. I remember that trip in such detail. I could almost account for every minute-- every adventure, every fresh coconut we ate, all the hot bread in the morning, the fresh mangoes we picked from the patio of my Great-Great Aunt, the crazy car rides on congested roads, the mountains, the magnificent sound of the Coqui in the evenings, the endless family we met, the houses. It was an incredible trip. I dont think there has been one that matches it.

Minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days and days into years. Embrace today! :)

Grandma Maria, Me (8), Johnny (6)

Johnny watching a coconut being cleaned!

Stevie (4 yrs) holding a chick!

Spring, Spring! Where Art Thou?

I cant believe it's halfway thru March already! I'm greatly looking forward to spring... But, as the calender proved to me today when I looked at, it is on it's speedy way.
Unfortunately here in the state of Maine, it doesn't arrive as soon as other states.

Right now, Floridians are possibly coming out of hiding, breaking out the swimsuits and hitting the beach.

People in Tennessee and Kentucky are watching the temperature rise and grass will turn green and early flowers and leaves are emerging from their winter sleep in a couple short weeks.

But Maine? No... we've got a full out month or month and a half until we see green lovelies popping out on branches and bushes. That month can dump on us Mainers a nice, heavy 15 inches of snow too.

But spring will arrive and I find solace in that. The dullness of winter does a number on one's attitude and mental state of mind.

I heard a bird today! I walked out and got the mail and a familiar but long-lost sound reached my ears. A bird sang to me. It made my heart so happy.