Discoveries!

I have made contact with more cousins who are able to give more clues and add their memories to this mystery of our family ancestors. Another perspective is always good. We choose to accept and reject that information.

Some of these cousins are 1st cousin 1x removed, and 2nd cousins. I went to school with 2 boys  that are my 2nd cousins. They had an older brother but I hardly remember him from my school days. Anyway, these two were so handsome that girls would become tongue-tied and dreamy eyed around them. Their looks were equivalent to, or better than most Teen Magazines cover boys. Or as some of my friends would say, "They're sooooo cute! Don't you think?" I would say, "I guess." And have to tell them again these guys are my cousins.
Anyway, they maintained an aloof demeanor. Some said they were conceited. I would see in their eyes the same look as in mine. Wary. They were fighting their own battles, slaying their own dragons as allowed and limited by age. Sometimes it really sucks to be a teenager. Their father's way of discipline was beatings. When he died, their Mom married another (let's be blunt) asshole. Same play different actors. But like most boys, they wanted to protect their Mom. I think that if she could have afforded the cost of parochial school, those boys would have been in a much different setting.
Back in the early 1960s, we just didn't talk about "things like that." We just kept the dirty laundry within the family unit.
Thank God their Mom had a strong faith. I also think this made them better men and husbands. All three have been married to their first wives, have kids, grand kids, and great-grandkids.
Their Mom passed July 2013 surrounded by a loving family. R.I.P.

And as Miguel's brother says in the book And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold: "It is enough."

I found this pic of my Mom surrounded by her grandkids. The baby in her arms will be 33 years old in October.

Only 2 granddaughters in the bunch.

Have a great week full of blessings:) <3