Your whole family

[KPL]

Now that my whole family is on PalmTalk, that brings me to the topic of family. I'm pretty sure all of them will have more posts than what I have pretty soon. So many of us are away from our immediate family. Here in Hawaii, you end up with what we call Ohana, extended family. I now have Ohana Sisters. I've extended that to some of you on Palm Talk also. You know who you are .

Today is my father's birthday. He was born in 1900, therefore, today he's 110. He is not here in the flesh. Bo-Göran keeps telling me not to write or say he's 110 because he is no longer with us. Well I do not agree with him. I love stating it this way, even though he is not here in the flesh. He died very early. That was in 1956. I'll never forget his birthday or any other family member's birthday. Do you remember those types of things?

Thank you for this forum, making it possible for me to express this here today.

Just remember, family is so very important! I'm the youngest of eleven children and only two of us are left.

Anyone out there have family on PalmTalk or do you have very fond memories of family members not in the flesh? I feel we must keep their spirits alive.

Make it a great day. Happy Birthday DADDY!

[Jeff Searle]

I agree. If this is what makes you smile, than it's all worth it. Your father must of been a good man, a great dad, for you to feel this way. And to pass away at such an early age, is hard to accept. No harm in my eyes....

[BS Man about Palms]

I was lucky in that respect. On my dads side, both my grandparents were born in 1900 also. Grandpa made it to 88 and Grandma to 101!!!

I often wonder what they would think or say if they were around now.. On my moms side, I never met them, gone before me.

I think feeling comfortable with life or death is different for everybody. What makes you the happiest should suffice.

[biotechguy]

Yes, Happy Birthday GranDad! Thanks for the post Mom. Here's to family and all ties that bond people to one another (in the flesh or otherwise)

[Annika]

Yes, Happy Birthday GranDad! Thanks for the post Mom. Here's to family and all ties that bond people to one another (in the flesh or otherwise)

May our grandfather's spirit be with us! Wow, this brought tears to my eyes.

Here's to Ohana- be it familial, spiritual or friendship based. I believe deeply in Kin and that it is found in your family and beyond. One finds Ohana in many places if one's heart and mind is open.

Annika

[Kim]

Hey Karolyn! I saw this yesterday, but wanted to give it some thought before replying.

While I would say, "My grandmother would have been 110 in February," I would not quibble with your preferred expression, which is very personal. Steve and I note birthdays of passed family members on their days, and we always think how old they would be if they were still with us. Family members do live on in a sense, kept alive by our memories of them. The sad part being, that once those of us with the first-hand memories are gone, the next generation has some of the stories, but not the memories, and eventually, the stories die too.

But I know you have a gifted writer in your family. The power of the written word to keep those passed family members alive should not be overlooked. How I wish I had a compilation of stories of my grandmother, and the other grandparents I never met, and the great-grandparents too. Instead we are left with the fading memories of stories told, a few photos and silent artifacts. Perhaps your observance of your father's birthday here might spark some urge to write some of this history for your grandchildren's benefit.

I do have another family member on PalmTalk, the brother who introduced me to palms. But it's going to be quite some time before my other family members show any interest here! The most likely candidate is our daughter, who has a growing appreciation for gardens, and loves tropical locations. I can't wait to see her face when she gets a tour of your garden someday!

[simona]

I have to thank my grandmother for my deep love of growing flowering plants and my father for sharing his love for nature with me. They are both no longer with me in flesh, but always in my fondest memories, never older but frozen to a certain age which fits their icon best. I always remember their birthdays even if their loss still hurts so much.

[peachy]

Although I have siblings and parents still living (last I heard) we never got on, never had mutual interests or friends. Apart from a great aunt, who I adore, 96 and still alive and well, I am the only member of my family who loves plants and pets to the extent of obsession like I do. My 2 furry boys and the 2 feathered boys are my children and a couple of close friends who are dearer to me than my real family, with whom there has been no contact for many many years. Sometimes blood ties are not everything. I needed a family and made one. The result is very satisfactory and they are far nicer than my blood relatives...great aunt excluded. I knew all my grandparents and 2 of my great grandmothers, none of whom impressed me particularly. My last grandparent, my paternal grandmother, died 3 years ago and I can't say that her passing affected me at all. She was an awful woman. The doggies and birds and my close friends are always there for me and enrich my life and for this I am grateful.

Peachy

[Walter John]

Although I have siblings and parents still living (last I heard) we never got on, never had mutual interests or friends. Apart from a great aunt, who I adore, 96 and still alive and well, I am the only member of my family who loves plants and pets to the extent of obsession like I do. My 2 furry boys and the 2 feathered boys are my children and a couple of close friends who are dearer to me than my real family, with whom there has been no contact for many many years. Sometimes blood ties are not everything. I needed a family and made one. The result is very satisfactory and they are far nicer than my blood relatives...great aunt excluded. I knew all my grandparents and 2 of my great grandmothers, none of whom impressed me particularly. My last grandparent, my paternal grandmother, died 3 years ago and I can't say that her passing affected me at all. She was an awful woman. The doggies and birds and my close friends are always there for me and enrich my life and for this I am grateful.

Peachy

Is this what you call putting a dampener on a happy family thread ?

[DoomsDave]

My mother's mother was born in 1895, and she will be 115 years old this year. Even though she died in 1975.

She loved plants like I do . . . .