21 December 2006

Thursday 13

As we talk about all our various and sundry Christmas celebrations, it makes me think about how the face of the "average" family has changed. We have four different family celebrations to plan due to death and divorce. It occurs to me that I have come to view this as completely normal. People sometimes get confused when they hear me talk about my Mom in the present tense after I told them my parents are dead. So here are a few details for you...


Thirteen Things about Gette


1. My sister and brother are 18 and 16 years older than me, respectively.

2. My father died of a massive heart attack when he was 55.

3. In front of me

4. I was 13.

5. My mom was too sick from Huntington's Disease to take care of me, so we lived with my sister.

6. I moved in with my best friend's family the weekend I turned 18; I was still in high school.

7. They became my second family.

8. My mom died when she was 57.

9. In a nursing home 350 miles away.

10. I was 19.

11. I think I felt more helpless that time.

12. I wasn't intending for this to be such a downer.

13. Next time I'll find 13 funny things. Or something.


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've had a rough beginning in life. Undoubtedly you have gained strength during those difficult times but I know this time of the year is hard for you. Know that your parents are always with you in your heart.

My 13 are up.

Anonymous said...

Thats a neat list..Thanks for letting us get to know you.... YOu have been through a lot

Anonymous said...

just a glimpse into you. thank you.
my tt is up

Anonymous said...

I can't say I know how you feel since I still have both my parents.

Despite the tragedies in your life, I'm sure there's a bright tomorrow waiting for you.

angela said...

Wow...that is sad. The holidays must be hard for you. Good to have other family members that you can share these times with...Take care.

Anonymous said...

Wow...that's a crazy list. Sounds like a rough decade or so there. I'm sorry to hear that.

Do you have the gene for Huntington's?

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry! I can imagine that you would have felt lost. I'm glad you had siblings and friends to help you during those times.

The holidays often make us think of those people who aren't in our lives anymore... I hope that it's not getting you down too much.

Have a very happy holiday season and thank you for sharing and visiting my blog.

cosmic junkie said...

Hey, great 13, but yeah, kind of a bummer. Sorry bout that. Thanks for chipping away at me to do a Thursday 13. My first one is up if you want to check it out. How are the dogs today? Good that they are getting settled already. They will be pooping on the table in no time, (right Cliff?) Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Not a downer...but you are certainly a survivor of many, many misfortunes. And since you have the wherewithal to blog, I think we can assume you've turned out OK. Reading it makes me feel like you should be given a free pass from any future illness, infirmity or misfortune!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you had to go through that especially at such a young age. Since moving to Colorado from Alabama so long ago we now just celebrate with my parents and my two sisters and their families. My husband's mom died a few years ago and she was the last glue that held her family together.