My dad is the youngest in his family, there were between eighteen months and two years between each of his siblings. Walter was the eldest, then came Mavis, George was next and then my dad. Both Walter and George died in 2011, the same year that two of my mum's brothers died too.
Mavis and my dad weren't particularly close, they didn't see each other very often but my dad got a bee in his bonnet last year about wanting to go and see her in the nursing home where she was being cared for. She didn't know him when he went, owing to the Alzheimer's, but I think he's glad now that he made the effort.
My mum came from a big family, some of her brothers and sisters have died but she's still got two sisters still living. My dad is the only one still here from his family, Walter's widow died last year, she was the last of his sibling's partners who was still living.
It's terribly sad seeing the older part of the family dwindle but then we hear the news that one of the younger generation are expecting the patter of tiny feet, life goes on.
My mum was the last left in her and dad's family, which sadden her, but like your last comment, it's about looking forward to the younger generation. Mum said life always came in 3's, A death, a birth and a wedding, so who is getting married this year?
ReplyDeleteI think it's sad when you're the last left in your generation. Saying that, it's better than the alternative. I haven't heard of a wedding in the family yet but that would be exciting, wouldn't it?
DeleteSo sorry to hear your news Jo. The same is true of my family - there's only one auntie left and once she's no longer with us my brother becomes the oldest living member of the family. She's 95 and still going strong so hopefully she'll have a few more years yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you. How lovely that your auntie's still going strong at 95, it's a great age to get to and still be well.
DeleteAwww so sorry about your Aunty Jo. My mum is the last of her family, she was the youngest of 13 children! She was quite close to all her sisters, especially as they all got older mum would do little jobs for them, shopping and such or just keep them company. In turn all my cousins still visit my mum doing little jobs for her. I think it great they all kept in touch, so glad your dad made the decision to visit his sister before she past.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's lovely that your mum kept in touch with all her sisters and that your cousins are now still close to her. My mum was the fifth of eleven children, she has one older sister and one younger sister still alive but they don't live close by. My mum moved away from Leicester when she married my dad, he was from Leeds, so she's never lived near her family since the 1950's, though they did visit and she always had very big phone bills! I'm glad my dad got to see Mavis one last time, he's been reminiscing these past few days.
DeleteSad news. Passing away in her sleep must have been a blessing. xx
ReplyDeleteI think that's the way we'd all like to go when the time comes and somehow, it does make us feel better when our loves ones pass away in this way.
DeleteSorry about your Aunty Jo. It is sad as the older generation die, we miss them but as you mention, younger ones are born and the family continues. My Nan is still going at 91 yrs old but my Dad's parents died over 30 yrs ago. My father in law died a few yrs back and poor MIL is very ill. The specialists don't seem to say how long you've left anymore, instead they told her it was life shortening. It's secondaries and truly awful, made especially worse as she has a new puppy recently, before she was diagnosed. It must be terrible knowing that she can't physically walk him properly up in the local forest. Neighbours 'borrow' him and he loves it. Take care Cathy x
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's lovely for you to have your nan still around, I'd lost all my grandparents by the time I was eighteen and I've missed them through my adult life. I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law, it's very hard to watch our parents age, especially when they're not in good health. I know all about that with my own parents.
DeleteI'm so sorry, Jo - my condolences to you and your family, especially your father. I'm so glad he had the opportunity to see her last year - had he not, the regret would likely be difficult to endure. XO
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad my dad got to see her one last time, she didn't know who he was but it was for my dad's sake really, he'll be settled in his mind that he went to see her.
DeleteIf she had that terrible disease, it's a blessing, that she passed.
ReplyDeleteYes, little ones coming, into the family. :-)
✨✨✨✨
Alzheimer's is a terrible thing, my mum's suffering from it now and it's horrible watching it take a hold.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear this news. I'm glad she passed away peacefully in her sleep. I think that's how we all want to go, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHappy news though, the arrival of a child, the circle of life.
xx
Thank you. I think she'd got to the stage where she didn't know who anyone was and she she didn't know where she was either, it's a horrible way to be. It's always sad when someone dies but you have to wonder if it's kinder for her.
DeleteI send you and your family my condolences, Jo, especially your father. My mother had six brothers and sisters and is the only one left, she refers to herself as "the last woman standing" and now takes a keener interest in her nieces and nephews because their own parents are no longer here so I think she feels its her responsibility. Alzheimer's is a horrible thing, at least Auntie Mavis is at peace now. s
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's nice that your mum is taking more of an interest in her nieces and nephews now that their own parents are no longer here, it'll be good for them but good for her too to have extra company. I was just saying to my dad today that I'm lucky to still have both my parents, none of my cousins have either of theirs now. Alzheimer's is in both sides of my family, it's prevalent in my dad's side and my mum's suffering from it now too. It does make me worry a bit, I have to say.
DeleteHello,sending you Big Huggles.Sounds so similar to my Aunts story,she died a year ago on Sunday of Alzheimer's.Can't believe it's a year already.Lovely photo.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you. Time goes by so quickly, doesn't it? It's twenty years this year since my sister died, I really can't believe that, it only seems like yesterday.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your Aunt Mavis, Jo. I'm glad your dad was able to see her before she passed.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm really pleased that my dad managed to see her one last time, I think he'd have regretted it if he hadn't.
DeleteI'm sorry to read your news, Jo. My sincere condolences to you and your family. X
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a sad time but we've been remembering all the happy times over the years.
DeleteSo sorry to hear your news. My family too is dwindling and it appears dementia seems to be an issue. Although thankfully despite health issues dementia doesn't appear to be an issue for my parents. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Dementia seems to be more and more common these days. It's quite worrying for me with it being in both sides of the family.
DeleteWhat a lovely photo and what a good job your Dad went to visit his sister before she sadly died.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. I'm pleased to have this photo, I think it's really charming.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear your sad news. It must have been difficult for your Dad to visit his sister in the nursing home knowing she was suffering from dementia, but I hope it has put his mind at rest that she died peacefully and he was able to see her last year. I know that you're looking after your Mum who is not well so I'm thinking of you as you and your family care for her. I'm glad that you have the treasured photo of your Dad and his siblings.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think it was quite a shock when my dad visited Mavis but I'm sure he was pleased to have seen her, especially now. Alzheimer's is such a horrible disease.
DeleteSorry to hear of your Auntie, lovely that your Dad got to see her though. Although my grandmother was one of 10 we are now a very small family, with only Chris´s Mum left of that generation which is a bit sad really. xcx
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's really sad when loved ones are no longer with us, especially when there were so many in the family. I remember the family coming together for weddings and christenings but now it only seems to be funerals.
DeleteAlways sad when a much loved family member is no longer with us. Sometimes when its due to alzheimers or other similar illnesses its a release for all concerned. I only have 1 great aunt on my late dads side left, and she has vascular dementia but at 93 she has had a very long and fulfilled life before this diagnosis last year.
ReplyDeleteMy Auntie Mavis had been in a nursing home for quite a few years and she didn't know anyone any longer. It's a terrible illness which takes people away from their families before they actually die, so sad.
DeleteSorry to hear about your Aunt, but looking forward is the way to go. My Dad was the youngest of 5 & was the last to go. We also had quite a few Walters on my Dad's side including my grandfather & Dad's oldest brother. Take care & stay warm.
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle Walter was named after my grandpa's eldest brother who came home from the war and then died of his injuries. All the boys were named after someone, my Uncle George after my grandpa and my dad after his maternal grandfather. I've no idea where Mavis came from though.
DeleteOh, so sorry for your loss Jo, it's such a horrible disease isn't it? I'm glad your dad got to see her though.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a terrible disease, it's quite scary wondering if you'll get it or not. I think my dad's glad that he made the effort to go and see her, I think he knew it would be the last time he'd go.
DeleteI'm sorry to read this news Jo, Alzheimer's is a horrible disease, I'm pleased that your Dad got to see his sister.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true when you write "It's terribly sad seeing the older part of the family dwindle but then we hear the news that one of the younger generation are expecting the patter of tiny feet, life goes on."
Yes, life does go on, not always easily but it does (and must) go on. The memories we are left with become so special and are always cherished.
All the best Jan
I know we all have to go at some time but it never makes it any easier, it's very sad to lose another member of the family but as you say, we always have the special memories.
Delete