So Familiar

This is my Grandfather Luiz Deniz. He came to America when he was seventeen years old. Here he is pictured with his many nieces and nephews....

I remember my Avo well, I lived and grew up with him on the farm until I was nine years old. My grandfather
was a strong man, yet little in stature, quite, gentle and very thoughtful...He loved his family, six brothers and three sisters. He visited with them almost every single day. He was the last of his siblings to leave the
Azores to come to a new life bringing is two younger sisters Rose and Anna.

This is a transfer-ware bowl my Grandfather brought with him along with a handwoven linen towel, my mother guards these family heirlooms and shares our rich family history in wonderful stories for all her
grandchildren....

I remember my Grandmother Lena's stories of how they would go to the fields to gather flax to be beaten
in to thread that would then be woven in to beautiful cloth such and this towel....

This is a paper doll my mom made from the photo above of her Grandmother Maria....She never made it
to America. My mom said her life was hard and she was not well, her dream was to see her children have
a better life in this land...While my mom was creating her she said she had a sense of her drawing near as she dressed her in her beautiful new clothes and saw her smile....

While attending a family gathering a few days ago I had the privilege to spend time with my Grandfather's family....several of his nieces are pictured here from the original photo of him almost 90 years ago...(Annie Deniz and Delmeda Deniz) (from left to right) Judy Bush, cousin, Annie Deniz cousin,Robin, my mom Mary, Joan Thodus,cousin, Anne Amaro Corriea, cousin, Elaine cousin, Kathy Ingraham, cousin, myself and Pamela Edwards cousin. As I gazed into my cousins eyes they were so familiar, I felt my grandfather Luiz very near....

Comments

[Alison Gibbs]

What wonderful family heirlooms. It is wonderful that your mother is sharing the family history with the grandchildren.
So nice to be able to meet up with the relatives at a fammily gathering.
Alison

[rochambeau]

Hi Pinky,
What a treasure to have family and a history to hold onto! It makes a person strong to have this foundation. Glad you could all be together. Is your family Italian? I know Corey's is Portuguese. Is this how you are connected?

Please tell your mother that the paper doll is a beautiful tribute to Grandmother!
Hope all is well in Pomegranateville!
xo
Constance

[Donna O.]

I loved this post. Isn't is so wonderful to have these, photos, these stories, etc. I know how close your family is and then for you to all get together with your extended family- what a special time.
D.

[Maija Lepore]

What a wonderful rich history- very cool!!

[Christine LeFever]

Oh that blue transferware bowl is beautiful. I have a small collection of transferware in blue, red, brown and whatever else I can find.

This is a rich and lovely tribute to your ancestors and it's good to see the present day people.

Your blog is beautiful!!!

Christine

[Cami @ Heart-Shaped Rock Cottage]

You're rich in the most important way! Lovely post...