Generations

This morning, as I grabbed my first cup of coffee, I paused and looked a the wedding photo of Mom and Dad taken in the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 16, 1952.   I smiled at my lovely mother, she smiled back at me.   The joy filled faces of my mom and dad, Arlene Anklan, Aunt Genevieve Deutsch, Kathleen Fogarty, Uncle Edward Mahowald, Uncle Bud Sullivan and Ben Zweber fill my heart with love and remind me how important our links are to previous generations.

I attended the wake of Edward Anton Mahowald, my Dad's older brother, last night in Farmington.  Edward died Sunday, Dec, 5, 2010 at 5:34 in the morning.  My cousin, Mary Theresa Mattison, from CA was with him.  Mary Theresa brought Uncle Ed's photo to the wake to give back to the Mahowald family.  I enjoyed seeing my cousins: Mary, Tom, Mike, Cathy and Mary Frances and their children last night.   My Dad was there, as was Uncle Buddy, Aunt Genevieve, and of course Uncle Ed was there in spirit.  Three of the people in that photo, including my precious mother, are now deceased.

 It brings a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes to have this permanent record of such a happy day in each of their lives.   Edward was 27 in 1952, already married to Thelma, with three children and working in the creamery in Farmington.  Genevieve was married to Clarence and had Charles, Pauline (she was the flower girl), Helen (she wore the flower girl dress for her first communion) and was pregnant with John.  Buddy was 22 years old (Steven's age) and a carefree playboy, sad to have his favorite sister moving to the country.  

I want my children to enjoy and remember my parents, and know that they were married in St. Columba Catholic Church on Lafond Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Their wedding photos were taken at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul.  It is one of my favorite spots in St. Paul, and I can feel the spirit of those before me that have enjoyed the beautiful, tropical setting.