My older brother, Bill Wood, tragically died in 2008.  His son and daughter are now in their mid-40s.  Chuck, who closely resembles his grandfather Donald, and wife Jeanie had three boys and a girl.  Mimi, who looks so like her dad and Grandma Mary Ann Wood, had two girls.  Each year the Wood family gathers together for food and fun, but the few hours together prevents deeper connections.  So I enjoy visiting them as often as possible each year.

Recently I spent time with Mimi’s girls, Ada and Chelsea.  My main reason is to foster in each one the adventurous and fun-loving Wood traits of my father and the creative and commonsense traits of my mom.  My personal philosophy is that each of us needs to reach out to family members not closely connected and relate stories that both entertain, but also to inspire and enlighten.  All the grandnieces and grandnephews love hearing the stories, such as:  

• How desperately poor Mom and Dad were during their early married life the in Pewamo, Michigan—they moved into a dilapidated farmhouse a few years after they married in 1940 that did not have electricity or indoor plumbing. 
• They worked very hard each day, but then relaxed by playing cards or visiting family and friends.
• When Dad dressing up as a woman while visiting his cousin at the bar where he played and then sitting on his lap and flirting in a high female voice.  Needless to say, the cousin turned red and uncomfortable.  When Dad removed  the wig and scarf, the cousin stared in shock, became a little angry, but then joined Dad in riotous laughter.
• That Mom baked the most amazing cakes, cookies, and pies every day when her six children were young.
• Put a deck of cards on the table, and Mom and Dad played for hours.
• And their deep Catholic faith that sustained them during the good times and bad.

Recently, I spent time with Bill’s granddaughters, Ada and Chelsea, cooking, baking, laughing, and exploring.  To commemorate the visit, I machine embroidered pillows with the design that each chose.  I passed on the love to honor brother Bill.

Let us share our family traditions with family who do not live close to us.  The gift is a two-way street—we bring love and stories to them and they bring love their own stories to us.

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