This morning, I finished up my 50th book of 2009 (whoot, I’m on track to make or beat my last year’s total.) The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan.* It was not quite what I expected, but interesting all the same. Her relationship with her father looms large over her life, and in many ways dwarfs her relationship with her mom** and sometimes even her children and husband. The last chapter is her manifesto, and she reads it here:



One of the things that struck me that I’m still kicking around is her comment that she doesn’t remember anything before the age of five, and if she were to die (she’s battled Breast Cancer) now, her children wouldn’t remember her.

I contemplated this thought – I have many very clear memories before I was five, but I might be a bit unusual in that – I know both my Dh and the C-man have made similar comments. As Dh’s dad died when the X-man was 3, I worry about this. One of the things that my mom told the C-man after his death was that he was the guardian of memories about his grandfather for his brother.

How do we keep memories for us and for our children? How are we sure that we are leaving an indelible mark on those around us? I know that in many ways, this Blog has helped me with this goal, but of course I didn’t start it when my children were born. Another way I chronicle my memories is through scrapbooking – but are these the memories our children and family cling to? In three generations, is anyone going to care about my paper obsession? They probably won’t but God willing, I do hope that someone remembers that I was fun to be around, had a great smile, and loved them with all my heart and soul.


*This is an entry in the “Mimi is a day late and a dollar short” department – it was the May Page Nibblers Book
** Bwahahahahahahahah – on Kelly’s blog, click on the Mother’s Day video. Giggle. Her mom rocks.