Hello Cousins, and like:
First please note the new address. We have
not moved. The government, in their infinite wisdom, has provided us with a new
address. The address is totally logical, but in order to understand the logic,
you need the key to unlock the logic, which is not available to the public in
an understandable form, and the front part, 5010, has different cardinal logic
from the remainder, but those of you in the USA do not have this government
issue.
The round robin letter seems to have died,
lost, strayed, stolen, been abandoned, left on a hillside in a rainstorm, left in the bottom of a letter carriers bag, lost in a
custody battle or some such fight. This is a restart of it, but I have taken
the liberty of resorting the order, so that it passes in our local group communications
circle without reaching us, so that it may be better tracked.
In August, 2013, we were part of Albert
& Mary fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration in Sherwood Park, Alberta, a suburb
of Edmonton. I am still searching for words to describe the incredible event. I
had the opportunity to see and speak with relatives I have not encountered for
45 years, and met new relatives, both young and old.
This is the first family event, as an
adult, that I had time to sit and observe the diverse range of personalities, behaviors,
attitudes, political views, and histories. I am old enough now, to understand
some of the behaviors. This was the first non-funeral event since Kenneth’s
wedding that I have been at, but there were others- a dinner at Norma’s April
10, 2004 more or less. The family celebration (as opposed to routine) attitude
toward food is, well, obeseogenic, but then I have food issues. I only noticed
two nipping on pocket flasks, or should I say purse flask, but then I am not judging.
There was only one that I knew from
elsewhere that had married a young relative that I had not previously met. Reminds me of a Corb Lund song.
Now I know that mother, Alberta, kept in
touch with the extended family on both sides, but I am not a natural writer,
but struggle with word and concepts to release. I grew up in a house where communication was spared,
silence was the norm, and I thought that was "normal". Admitting a wrong or error
was a seen as weakness. Pre-planning and communicating that plan was loss of
control, precious control must be maintained. The irony of all that is my
parents only had the illusion of control.
My parents did not have the patience to
explain anything, let alone the relationship of all these people to us. Nothing
was written or available to us younger generation. It was treated like state
secrets. In reality mother was so deaf she could not hear anything, so any
question answered what she thought was asked, confusion was the rule. She
could not admit she could not hear. She was too stubborn to get a hearing aid,
and her money was more important than being able to hear. Write was all she
would do and then only to others, not her immediate family. I see my sister
has similar characteristics.
For the above reasons, I have started a
web site to put family information out to the public and relatives. Any may
read, comment, and if you wish, I will put you on as an author.
As I will hang this, as a post, who wants
vegetables? I have excess potatoes, carrots, and beets, Kale, cabbage (with added
proteins), and a few cucumbers going fast.
MEILICKE, Douglas Ross December 15, 1950 August 22, 2013 It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Douglas Ross Meilicke. His love of the outdoors and passion for life will be remembered by those of us he has left behind. Sadly missing him are his spouse Maxine, daughter Nicole, his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews along with many friends who's lives he touched while with us. A celebration of life service is planned for Douglas at Assman's Funeral Chapel, Saturday September 14, 2013 at 2pm.
