J-Dub's Grin and Bear It

January 15.

Today we have symbiotic from Sally. Be sure to visit  Sally’s blog to read her posts and say hello.

A picture is worth a thousand words. This is symbiotic.

But I’m not stopping with the picture. I’ve got so much going on in my brain. Yesterday was rough. Not gonna lie. But there was also some sweetness. We came together which was a surprise but it was after all our brother’s 65th heavenly birthday and he’s been gone almost 27 years.

It started with an innocent enough text in our siblings group chat of Jim’s headstone that my other brother visited when he brought flowers. Everyone started responding with pictures from the old days. Pictures with Jim.

My brother Bob sent a picture, of my sister’s wedding — we were all in the snap with the exception of another brother, GP who for reasons unspoken was not in the photograph.

It’s also accurate to say that two of my nephews were missing because in the divorce, yet another brother lost custody.

So if you’re counting with me, yes I had five brothers. Pre-finding three more.

Anyway, it’s almost all of us because the second set of grandkids had not been born yet. My parents had seven grandkids then an 11 year break before six more for a total of 13. And here B and I will never have any. But such as life. Anyway, I’m finally gonna get to the point. In that picture, six (Grandma, Mom, Dad, Jim, Don and Bill) have gone. And they didn’t just walk away. They died. Done. Fini.

I guess in our advanced age — I’m the baby at 61, we’re all feeling pretty nostalgic. And on days like yesterday, the what could’ve been comes out in full force.

We’ve decided to have a reunion. Those of us who can will join our cousins in March at my uncle Dan’s. He is the last surviving Jasek brother. We’re going to see him at the farm where we spent much of our childhood.

This is wonderful. So I just don’t understand why I spent much of my day tearful. Maybe because I wish everyone was still here. Remembering those who have gone before is bittersweet. Part of the symbiotic relationships in our lives.

This morning is a new day. And I am off to the races. Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday. 

Rules and pingback.

As always, more to come.

January 13

We have “Rubbish” from Di https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/ Take a look at her blog. You’ll be glad you did.

My first thought? Good riddance to bad rubbish. 💨

Where did I even hear that? Probably not a “local” colloquialism — unless my local is 1600s England. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I picture Jasper from 101 Dalmatians saying it. But what I really remember is Nanny to Jasper: “You got cloth ears? I said you’re not coming in here.” 🐶

One of my favorite, slightly sad memories is staying with Aunt Annie in Karnes City while my mom recovered from her mastectomy. I worried I’d have to stay if Mom didn’t make it.

Auntie and my cousins took us to see 101 Dalmatians — and as I picture the theater, I’m taken aback that it was exactly like the Ruby in Chelan, Washington, where my birth mother grew up. 🎬

It’s odd that she and my adoptive mother shared so many similarities. Our universe was too parallel to be mere coincidence. ✨

More than the movie, I remember the popcorn 🍿 and Red Hots 🌶️. Even today, if I walk past the candy bin at Walmart, I crave Hot Tamales 🌶️ — they’re not Red Hots, but close enough for cousins. And Raisinets 🍫 are always in that bin, my all-time favorite.

Discovering someone else liked Raisinets made me feel… a certain way. I didn’t claim “hey me too” — since that’s probably wearing thin. I’ve made a list of the things we have in common. I know I’m needy.

Still these things bring me a sense of connectedness — every synchronicity means the world to me. 🌎

Back to rubbish — good riddance to overthinking. Rubbish indeed. Good riddance to bad rubbish, full circle. ⭕️

Rules and pingback.

As always, more to come. ✨