My father never knew his relatives on his dad’s side of the family because my grandfather for some unknown reason would never say who his parents were.  Several times my dad met someone with the same last name and he would ask trying to find that missing connection to his family history.   My dad died never knowing the history behind his name. 

Before covid my husband Larry Marrs bought me an Ancestry DNA kit to see if I could find answers.  It was slow trying to figure out all those hints on Ancestry.  During covid I spent hours researching, asking questions of strangers with my maiden name, trying to figure out our family tree. 

A wonderful group on FB answered one of my questions and that led me down another path.  I thought I had found my great-grandfather when a newfound cousin told me that was a great uncle and gave me the name of my great-grandfather that I had been looking for. 

Then the search began for my great-grandmother, which was much harder, but all those days sheltered at home that became my goal.  Yes, I found her, and it made me cry.  All I really wanted to do was tell my dad who they were, and I wanted to scream at my grandfather, who kept secrets. 

I found a cousin along the way who shared so much family history, other cousins popped up in a private group and it was fun to see how we were related.  One cousin shared a photo of my great grandmother and again I cried.  My father grew up surrounded by cousins that he never knew.  My circle of family has grown with new cousins that I am thankful for.

 When my mother was born women were not allowed to vote.  My parents were adamant that I register to vote when I turned 18.  They didn’t tell me what party to register with and they didn’t tell me who they were registered as.  I registered as a Democrat and found out they were registered Republicans.    When they first moved to California, like me they had no idea so they registered as Republicans, but they always voted for who they thought was the best candidate for each office, not a blanket party ticket.  Before the 2016 election, my mom and I talked about Hillary Clinton and the one who shall not be named.  My mother was not a fan of either candidate, but she said she would vote for the best candidate, and that was Hillary Clinton because she was a woman and was better than the other candidate who she could not stand.  I voted for Kamala Harris because the man running has little regard for women’s rights, human rights, or religious rights.

 I have a lot to be thankful for this year:  Lunch with the ladies is always fun.  50 degrees on a beach in Carmel Ca is warmer than 50 degrees in WA.  Playing in the sand with the grandkids is priceless.  Spending an evening celebrating my younger son Michael's birthday with family and his friends is always a treasure.  Having a husband who sends anniversary flowers across the country when you can’t celebrate together.  When lightning hit my daughter Kelly’s house and two gas lines in the house are punctured but doesn’t blow up you know God has a plan for your grandsons and yourself.  Camping out in an upscale hotel for two weeks, yes I got the grandkids and the parents got a break.  That my daughter Kelly could sleep in a hard plastic chair for hours and make me laugh while enduring cold feet.  Thankful to be in the right place at the right time.  When my son Michael rescues me from the airport and drives me two hours home the next day.  Thankfully we have great health insurance, Kaiser hotline, and two new doctors.  Blessed to have a new puppy Beau in the house who is relaxed, calm, and just wants to cuddle but growing fast.  Glad that Larry’s son Mike could deliver Beau to us from Montana.   Grateful to have Larry’s daughter Kim spend a few days.  Round two of grandma time with carpool, puppies, school fieldtrips, and Chapel in CA., then carpool, football, and jitsu classes, in AL. Racking up the air miles on Alaska, Delta, and American.  Thank you to  James and Nicole who made multiple trips to the airport on my crazy flying schedule.  Thankful for all the healthcare workers who have touched the lives of my family.  Thankful for good friends, church, and Refuge Service. Blessed to have a loving husband Larry, six wonderful kids: James, Nicole, Michael, Kevin, Kelly, Kyle, and four amazing grandkids.

Thank you God.

 I was sitting in the Seattle airport Monday night when a woman walked through and asked that everyone stand and clap for a group of Honor Flight Veterans who were on their way to Washington DC.  Everyone immediately rose and when the first veteran appeared everyone began smiling, clapping, and saluting.  Every veteran was escorted by a service member, some walked slowly, some were in wheelchairs, some seemed a bit dazed to be celebrated, and some saluted back.  No one moved in the terminal until the procession passed.  That six-hour layover before the last leg of my flight home was worth it to experience a chance to honor these veterans.

 Our LG refrigerator quit working after 10 years.   We bought a Whirlpool side by side and only had to wait 5 days to have it delivered.  Now the nightmare begins.  It quit after a week…well sometimes the freezer works and the frig maintains a 68-degree temp occasionally dropping lower but not for long.  Home Depot says you only have 48 hours to figure out something doesn’t work for them to replace or refund so go talk to Whirlpool.  Whirlpool after 1 ½ on the phone says we will call you in 48 hours.  72 hours later I get an automated response saying they have no tech available to look at the frig and I can find my own repair person and pay out of pocket, and they will reimburse $100 for repair call and pay for the parts.  Whirlpool warranty says they will fix or replace…ha ha…don’t believe their written word. We have now filed a complaint with the state consumer protection agency. 

Christmas Caroling Memories

Singing Christmas carols in church last night brought back wonderful memories. When I was in elementary school my dad and several other parents took a group of kids from the church Christmas caroling. We would drive to someone’s home and sing two or three songs and then drive to the next house. My dad had one of those deep voices and sometimes sang in the choir. Sadly, I did not inherit any musical talents but at the time I did not know that the only thing that mattered was being with my dad and forever I will hold that memory in my heart.