Family

Not knowing about my family history at all, I decided to group message my Grandpa and Uncle about our family heritage. The response I got from my uncle was “Daddy came over on the Mayflower” and my Grandpa said “nothing really exciting about our heritage. We would certainly have Irish in our blood” followed by another response by my uncle “Leprechauns.” So, we have obviously haven’t done very much research on our family background. However, I do know where we all live now and that is what I think makes our family so special. 

 My entire family on both my Mom and Dad’s side all live in the upstate of South Carolina. My Dad’s family is from Spartanburg, South Carolina and my Mom’s family is from Inman, South Carolina, which is also in Spartanburg County. All of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins live there as well. Birthdays, holidays, and family gatherings are very easy for us as we all live within a 30 mile radius. . I am very grateful to have such a close connection with my extended family and would not trade it for the world. 

It is this close connection that has sustained my family in the face of adversity. As a family, we have lived through not one, but 2 losses of family members to suicide. My cousin and my uncle both committed suicide at the early age of 20. I never had the privilege of meeting my uncle, but I have heard stories what a special person he was. I was close to my cousin and loved him very much. He was an amazing person. He lived in my neighborhood with my Grandmother and he loved to play the drums. I have memories of “pretend” concerts in my grandmothers garage with him playing the drums. Suicide is a difficult thing as it leaves so much pain and many questions in its wake.

The greatest loss that I have experienced was the loss of my grandmother. My Mimi was a special person who I loved spending time with. Although I was only six years old when she passed, I still have great memories of working in her yard, cooking and her playing with me endlessly.

Each tragedy and loss that my family has experienced strengthened our connection, brought us closer together and made us even more aware and of how precious life.

My family keeps me grounded. I am my most authentic self when I am with them. I could not be more thankful.