And, Then, There Were Two

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

There were 4 of us, first cousins.  

Here we all are with our grandmother, Minnie.  In the back is yours truly on the left and cousin R, on the right.  In the front, left, with his finger in his mouth, is my brother Don and front and center, our cousin L.  R & L were siblings, Don and I the other set of siblings.

Don passed in 2014 and last week we received news that cousin L had passed.

And, then, there were two.

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She Loved Cats - - - The Poignant Cards

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

For close to two weeks, Man and I have been assisting in the opening, cleaning, sorting, listing,  of a family home up here in Rockingham County Virginia.

It's quite overwhelming cleaning out a family home. Poignant. Memories. Stories. Things not realized before, now learned. A little love affair. 

Cards filled with the same "sorry we could not visit". "Hope to come soon". "So and so is ill. " Moaning about the cold snow and sleet. Who is sick, married. Babies conceived and born. The threads of our lives.

Reducing a long interesting life to a few photos, letters and cards. 

Many cards trashed. The relationships and friendships at the bottom of a trash bag. Bitter sweet.

Tis a difficult chore, closing down a family home.

Cards with tons of cats on the greeting cards, she loved cats, and everyone knew it.  This collection from just a handful of the two boxes of greeting cards we found in the house.

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