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twilight33Despite having a day to reflect on it, that's still about all I can summon about being part of a small group guided through the Makah museum by a Makah elder.
I was very moved & honored to be able to introduce Kieran & my husband to Clara (my great-grandpa's cousin who is 98) today. Since all of the older generations of my direct family have died before they could meet either of them, this is... this is a gift I wasn't expecting to ever be able to receive. There is such a different perspective from those who have seen almost a century of life go by. Having her call me 'dear', signing off on cards with 'love', and seeing her adore Kieran as much as if he was her own great-great grandson is joy unspeakable. I was amazed when Kieran managed to get himself stuck between the fireplace and the back of a couch that she said "Oh! That's just like that Robert Louis Stevenson poem... 'away behind the sofa-back'", thought for a few minutes, then recited the poem from the beginning!
Unfortunately we couldn't get pictures of the clan (we were joined by her daughter, her grandson, his wife & their two daughters), except for one by her grandson before Kieran experienced meltdown central from a lack of sleep the night before. We'll come visit on Christmas, and hopefully many times in the future again though.
I have family beyond my mom & aunts again. This is so cool.
I was very moved & honored to be able to introduce Kieran & my husband to Clara (my great-grandpa's cousin who is 98) today. Since all of the older generations of my direct family have died before they could meet either of them, this is... this is a gift I wasn't expecting to ever be able to receive. There is such a different perspective from those who have seen almost a century of life go by. Having her call me 'dear', signing off on cards with 'love', and seeing her adore Kieran as much as if he was her own great-great grandson is joy unspeakable. I was amazed when Kieran managed to get himself stuck between the fireplace and the back of a couch that she said "Oh! That's just like that Robert Louis Stevenson poem... 'away behind the sofa-back'", thought for a few minutes, then recited the poem from the beginning!
Unfortunately we couldn't get pictures of the clan (we were joined by her daughter, her grandson, his wife & their two daughters), except for one by her grandson before Kieran experienced meltdown central from a lack of sleep the night before. We'll come visit on Christmas, and hopefully many times in the future again though.
I have family beyond my mom & aunts again. This is so cool.
