Thursday, June 28, 2007

Throwback Thursday #2



In keeping with the Pinks & Blues Girls' tradition of posting Throwback Thursday pics, here is my walk down memory lane for today.

Today, I would like to pay hommage to two very important men in my life...both of whom have passed away. Grandpa (my dad's dad) died when I was very young. I only wish I could have had a few more years with him. From what I do remember, he was such a wonderful man and so funny too!

He stayed with us when he got sick (he developed diabetes) and my dad and mom had him live with us. I remember that he was not to have anything with sugar, so that meant absolutely no sweets! Grandpa loved sweets! He would give my brother and me $1 US if we gave him our chocolate and promised not to tell Ma and Pa! LOL! One day, Grandpa was eating a powdered jelly donut and then tried to hide it from my dad. Dad said, "What are you doing?" and Grandpa leaned back against the sink, facing my dad, with the donut behind his back...but with all the evidence of the white sugar powder all over his face! LOL! It was a terribly sad, yet funny moment. It was at that moment, I realized my Grandpa was no longer the alpha male in the house. He looked like a small child being caught doing something he shouldn't.
This photo was taken at Niagara Falls. I was just a tiny little thing back then. It was Grandpa's wish to see the Falls. My dad's youngest sister is in the pic with us.

My grandfather on my mom's side was affectionately known by everyone as Daddy. Even my cousins and I used to call him Daddy. I know it may sound odd since he was our grandfather, but we grew up hearing everyone call him Daddy. All our aunts and uncles called him Daddy. Our parents called him Daddy. Even family friends called him Daddy. He was the life of the party wherever he went. He was active in the community. He'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.


Daddy passed away when I was teaching overseas. I had just gotten my teaching position, so I was not able to take time off for a "holiday". I insisted that attending a funeral was indeed not a holiday! Anyway, I wasn't able to be with my family for the funeral and I was so far from home. I don't think I ever really obtained any closure until just a few years ago.

Though a bit blurry, I love this pic. It's of Daddy, my middle brother and me in the field near our old house. Now, the field and its wonderful little creatures no longer exist. The entire neighbourhood has become developed. The field is gone, and in its place there are new homes and stores. It feels like part of my childhood has been taken away. I don't even like revisiting our old neighbourhood because so much has changed and the people who bought our house have neglected it. It's no longer that proud, cheerful home that stood on the corner of the street. There's overgrowth and weeds...the fence hasn't even been mended. The paint has faded and chipped. It's so very sad since we took such great care of it.

Both pics are pre-Baby Bro, since he is eleven years younger than me. Middle Bro and I are only a year and a half apart.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

lovely post chrissy. you looked like a little china doll when you were a little girl! forgive the lack of caps - too lazy!

Heidi said...

Those pictures are adorable, Chrissy.

Anonymous said...

Awww, very nice! Thanks for playing along with TT :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, and beautiful descriptions to go along! Isn't it sad when untouched land gets built up so much?

Love these photos, Christine! I am so glad you're playing along with TT!! :)

merinz said...

Memory lane is one of my favourite destinations! Love reading about your 'lane'.

Unknown said...

Pete:
You know, you are not the first person who has said that! LOL! I was referring to the China Doll thing...but the not using caps thing seems like a common comment too!

CK:
Thanks! BTW, you totally cracked me up with your comments from the last post! You are so crazy! Luv ya!

Unknown said...

Dawn:
Thank you! Just checked our your TT too! I love looking at old photos! There's something so "The Wonder Years" about looking at pics from the past.

Doggy Mama:
Thank you! I'm so glad I finally got my butt in gear and started playing along with TT! What a great idea, Jane!

mrinz:
Thank you :) I am still so sad that you have discontinued your blog :( How am I going to keep in touch with you now? LOL!
Hope the twins and the rest of the family are doing well. Miss the pics of your kiwis and other produce!
xoxo

louann said...

I love THrowback THursday (although I have never participated). I just love looking at pictures of the past :) And reading the stories behind them.

Anonymous said...

AWWW!! I feel bittersweet about the home I grew up in. It's now sold and I am told looks completely different. You are cute though!!

Anonymous said...

AWWW!! I feel bittersweet about the home I grew up in. It's now sold and I am told looks completely different. You are cute though!!

Anonymous said...

AWWW!! I feel bittersweet about the home I grew up in. It's now sold and I am told looks completely different. You are cute though!

Cherry said...

Do all little Asian girls get that hair cut?
That's it, I have to figure out how to scan the way back photos of me, because I think you'd get a kick out of our similarities.

Great memories, but so sorry the new owners don't take care of your cherished home.

Unknown said...

Louann:
Thank you! Do you think you'll ever start doing Throwback Thursdays too? By the way, I love the pics of your sons! They are toooo cute!!!

Mrs. Mogul:
Yeah, it is a bittersweet feeling, isn't it? All those wonderful memories...and then the reality of having to grow up and leave the house you grew up in. So sad!

Cherry:
Hahahhaha!!! It does seem like all little Asian girls in the 70s or 80s had that haircut! Actually, maybe little Asian girls still get that haircut now! LOL! Are you Asian too? Sorry...that sounded really weird! Anyway, you should post some old pics of yourself too! It would be fun!

Sweet and Salty said...

You were an absolutely adorable little girl!

Thanks for sharing those. I love seeing old pics like that!

Karen MEG said...

I can't get over how similarly we are "aged-apart" from our siblings (is that an adjective, an adverb LOL?).
I love your posts and your photos. I never knew either of my grand dads as they were both already gone by the time I got here. That's why I'm so glad that my Dad is able to be here for my kidlets, and visit with them as often as he does.

Unknown said...

Pavel:
Thanks! You know, now that I've had a chance to look at the old photos, it kind of makes me feel happy to recall the wonderful memories, but I feel a bit sad at the same time. Looking at my grandpa's face in the Niagara Falls pic makes me feel sad. I know he was already sick in that pic. He died not too long after. As for "Daddy"'s pic, I always remember his jovial attitude and playfulness. He was such a firecracker! He really loved life and his family.

Karen:
I just saw your TT pics! Toooo cute! I'm so glad you started TT too!

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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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