My grandparents’ neighbor, known for his collection of cars that he moved to keep out of the sun and covered in towels, huge family, beautiful lawn, and ability to never have a job.
x365/59: Dad April 7, 2009
Sitting with me and brother, with my other brother on stage, said, “This is about as happy as a man has the right to be.” Sorry about that 22 years. They weren’t your fault.
x365/54: Grandpa April 2, 2009
The glue of our family, the one that made us all be respectful. Laughed until the tears ran silently down his face. “I’m standing strong now, cause I once sat on your knee.”
x365/53: Grandma Bernice April 1, 2009
Spent most of my childhood with her; she loved me more than my mother was capable of. All she wanted from me was to get married and have babies. She saw the first.
x365/52: Hank March 31, 2009
Although we were not related, she always treated me like her own. Her family was used to her kindness, and not as kind back. I ended up with the family pictures and heirlooms.
x365/51: Grandma June March 30, 2009
I remember so little, just a round woman with graying wavy hair. Her house was always full of cousins and dogs to play with. She died and I didn’t find out for years.
x365/50: Larry March 29, 2009
That’s Uncle Larry to you! Tall, thin, avid curler and golfer. Kindly dealt with his difficult wife. We were never told when he died – just got the Christmas card back in the mail.
x365/48: Grandma Isobel March 27, 2009
The Original Classy Broad. Smoked, drank, swore like a sailor, but I always knew she loved me. When I was too young to understand, she tried to explain that my grandfather was a fine man.
x365/12: Ms. Kathy February 6, 2009
Best teacher ever at nursery school in Maryland. Made me feel special and amazing, and put my long hair into Princess Leia buns. Her counterpart was Ms. Mary, about whom I remember nothing.
x365/5: Amy F. January 30, 2009
My first BFF. We had the same birthday. On our fifth, her mom brought cupcakes and presents for both of us, knowing my mom wouldn’t. She held the sign in our school picture.
