aunts and uncles...

 I met my cousin Paula for lunch a couple of Saturdays ago,

as we try to do a couple of times a year.  She lives in Rushford now

so it's just far enough that we don't do it often enough.   She had a

book with this photo in it, taken around 1965, when my Stock grandparents

(mom's parents) celebrated their golden wedding.  This is a picture of

all the cousins except Jim and Michael who were born later.

My brother, Steve, is in the front row, second from left.  Ann and

Sue are in second row, far right and 3rd from right in matching

dresses (how cute!).  That's me in the next row, standing

second from left and Paula is second from right.  Carol is

between us.  wow!  There were 28 grandchildren in all

and we knew each other well.  We spent a lot of holidays

and birthdays together over the years.  It was really special

at this event because Cousin Barb and Cousin Vicky were

there all the way from Detroit....how exotic!

This is my mom's family that same day. She's far left, standing.
She had 3 sisters and 5 brothers.  She and her brother Henry,
are the last ones left. 
Front row-Addison, Gma Stock, Gpa Stock and Arnold
Back row-Mom,Helen, Henry, Stan, Gene, Dorothy and Joyce 
Of course, my Auntie Joyce..(far right)
was responsible for many great adventures for me and
my siblings (She lived in Detroit with Vicky and Barb), but
it was mom's brothers wives who created most of the family
memories.  Big family gatherings in farm kitchens; great food;
lots of gossiping; and fun with cousins.  My Aunt Mia (Henry's wife)
raised 5 kids, worked full time as a nurse and helped run a family
farm.  How did she do that?  Of course, all my aunts worked hard
and I spent lots of time in Pat (Stan's wife)'s kitchen because
she is Paula's mom, but it always seemed to be Mia playing
hostess.  She's in failing health these days and doubt she reads
blogs or facebook or email but I need to say that she was/is a
great role model for me...She loved her family and her husband's
family and always made us feel welcome and wanted.  Always
a card at Christmas with a bit of news and gifts when my children
were born and later married.  She was always interested in
what our family was doing and has always been the point
of contact for our family with the rest of the clan.  Thanks
for everything, Mia....you are a great lady.  All you did
made a difference.