Last of the February Birthdays

The last two are Uncles. 

Uncle Richie is my Dad's brother and I am sad to say the last time I saw him was when I was eleven before I moved to Florida. He was a lot taller than my Dad and seventeen years younger.  He was a police man for the NYC police department.  

Born Feb 20, 1929 in College Point, Queens, New York died in 2009 in Hollywood, Broward, Florida.

When he retired he did move to Florida but I don't think my Dad ever saw him once he moved to Florida.  I remember my Dad was upset with him because he had divorced his first wife Eleanor Vent. Sadly I never reconnected with him once I was an adult.  I have no real reason, I just didn't.  I am truly sorry I didn't make the effort. 

I do have a picture of Uncle Richie some place but I am not going down that rabbit hole to look for it right now.  

Uncle Bill with my Grandmother Minnie Elizabeth Chaplin 

Now Uncle Bill I knew him better and was in contact with him by letters until he died.  We didn't have a close relationship but we were in contact and he was supportive of me. 

Born William Charles Chaplin on Feb 22, 1911, Brooklyn, King, New York and died March 21, 1992 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

When I graduated from Community College with my ASN and passed my State Board as an RN, he sent me a medical caduceus under a nursing cap.  I still wear it on a chain around my neck. 

He sent me a beautiful portrait of my mother on her wedding day when I purchased my first home.  Uncle Bill was my mother's brother.  When I saw this picture of my mother I realized just how much I looked like her.  I have the same shape eyes.  

I have a few good memories of this good man.  

I wish I had know him better. 

More Belated February Birthdays

The next Birthday on the 11th belongs to my Son-in-Law Will.  He is a quiet, pleasant young man who makes my daughter Kierra very happy.  He severed our country in the Arizona National Guard. 

Will when he was in the Army.  Thank You for your service. 

The next Birthday on the 12th was mine.  A long time ago in a different state this baby girl was born and she has been busy and active since.  

My Baby Picture

February In Memory Of

Though I enjoy celebrating my birthday and make the best of it.  There are two dates in February I really don't like. 

The day my mother died and the day my mom who raised me died.

Here is a post I wrote about Fearless  Women Who Died Too Young. 

This following post is about my mother who gave me life and died too young on Feb 5th, 1949 a week before my first birthday.  

This last post is about Annette the mom who raised me until she died too young on Feb 4th, 1965 a week before my 17th birthday. 

For some reason this year I felt their lost a little more acutely than usual.  And as hard as those losses are they made me the women I am today so I am grateful for the experiences.  I also know that in many ways it is better than what my adopted daughters are going through.  As they repeatedly see the poor choice a mother makes and watch her slowly self destruct.  Maybe this contributed to my not wanting to write in February.

Belated February Birthdays

Yup I did it again, I am late for a very important date!

Well actually for a few dates!

First my Great Uncle Owen Glynn Chaplin.  I didn't know him personally, I didn't know any of my great aunts or uncles.  My Aunt Bea who was a niece told me the following about Owen, who was known as Glynn.

Glynn is standing in the back row, second from the right.

He was the 10th child of my maternal great grandparents born on February 10th 1906.  He did not know my grandfather William,  his own brother, as Owen was 3 months old when William left for America.  Glynn worked as a British Naval Designer or Marine Engineer.  He married Ida Lee in 1936 and had one son Robert Glynn born in 1945.  He did visit the states in 1950 and meet some of the family here.  My grandfather had died in 1925.  My Mother, his niece, died in 1949, so he never meet Edith. 

I have no idea if he and my Dad meet or not. 

A family story goes while talking to my Uncle Bill who was about to have a daughter and they were thinking of naming her Victoria but Great Uncle Owen said Valerie was a popular name in England and so my cousin's name is Valerie. 

This Birthday is also shared with a cousin Robin.  We share the same grandfather William I mentioned above.  I don't know him very well as he is 9 years older than I am.  I have recently reconnected to him and I receive a newsy Christmas letter from him each year.