| I wrote the following poem and text as the introduction to an anthology of collected writings from members of my mother's family. It was for our June 1993 Townsley Reunion. Memory Cathy J. Montgomery Oh, Memory is a living thing... It grabs our minds, taking us on a journey, traveling through time... So, can you remember...can you see... Can you envision our bit of history? Of our heritage we can truly say, "That was certainly the way I can remember my family!" Oh, it's a treasure beyond compare-- this heritage of love that we share! For it's such memories that give our hearts a chance to relive the blessings of our united past-- a heritage that will always last. Remembering the yesterdays will be the cord that binds us to our family. *************************************************** REMEMBER? Granny's Jergens lotion...those pictures of the 12 apostles? Playing chopsticks on her old- timey piano? Her singing, "Will the circle be unbroken?" Her gentle voice, her soft arms? How about her glass swan, her print dresses, and her tenderness? Her beautiful eyes that glowed with profound love? Or snapped in anger at unkindness (or--even sometimes at Grandpa?) Grandpa and how he flung down his hat? His short, stubby cigar that always threatened to burn his nose?! His little pocketknife pulled out, then his going behind the boys and pretending to cut off their ears? How those boys would roll up their eyes!! Remember how he seemed happiest when he got his grandchildren to holler?! How about the peppermint sticks he kept in the kitchen drawer for the children? How about that old spitoon that he paid someone to clean out? All the Christmases we used to share? Gathering from Houston, Austin...all together, crowded in the house on Jacques street. Smells of cooking, sounds of laughter, children running in and out, guitars pulled out, deep voices blending in with higher, lighter ones, singing...all together....remember? Hugs and kisses and more hugs?? Remembering makes those days near somehow...and those memories keep us drawn together, united in one common purpose...celebrating the love of two people--Hattie and Milas--that began us...this family. HAPPY REUNION DAY TO YOU ALL!! ************************************************* Home Back Next |
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