Gifts. Who doesn’t like gifts? Big ones, small ones, preferably thoughtful ones…I love gifts. I wish I had a list of all the gifts I was given in life, down to what Sally-Lou gave me at my fifth birthday, it would be so fun to look back on. Some of the gifts I’ve been given however were not necessarily tangible items, some of them were moments, or shared emotions, or times in life…these are my favourite gifts.
Once upon a time, in generations passed I was given the gift of fun. Somewhere in my roots, my heritage, possibly from my great-great-great grandmother she decided ‘fun’ would be the gift she would pass down to her family. I imagine her sitting in her old rocking chair and thinking, ‘you know somewhere out there in the distant future I will have a great granddaughter and I want her to know the true joy of life, this is the gift I want to give her’. She was also wise enough to know that there would be no possible way to actually give me this gift herself so she concocted the most beautiful plan, she would lead by example. She would teach her children the joy of seeking, the beauty behind discovery and adventure, she would put smiles on their faces that would light up their world. She would teach them to bring laughter into a room, and remind them that although life is hard work and includes many commitments and sacrifices, it is the smiles you made and the life of your spirt that would count in the end. She knew if she lived this well and taught this well these traits would trickle down through the generations, and her family would inherit these gifts.
So in my blood I was blessed in bountiful ways. Emotions, communication, loyalty, hard work, faith, all of these things were passed down but somewhere in my veins was also a pumping supply of laughter, joy, and excitement. A childlike ability to discover playfulness, and for that I am so grateful.
The top picture is my Great Grandma and Grandpa Klettke…in love, this picture makes me smile. The bottom picture is my Grandma Klettke (Joan) playing around on the farm with her father in the background who is holding her daughter (Lori). I love this! I love my Grandma, I love that she is with her kids and her parents but still a complete goof ball. While most people in this age were saving their money for pictures of their family with straight edge faces and looks of gloom (I never have understood those pictures), she was striking a pose in her best element…fun. My Grandma knew how to laugh, and play, and really truly relax and enjoy life. It was a gift she was given and a gift she passed down the lines. A gift that landed in my lap where I eagerly received it and tenderly opened the package knowing the ‘work’ and thought that went into giving it.
My Singing Soul 