|
First of all, I have a large family and many relatives. My family name is Donahue, which is ultimately a family name of Irish origin. However, my family’s origins and strands are from various countries and diverse cultures, such as: Ireland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Holland. In fact, the origins of my family are mostly from northern European stock. Above all, my family of relatives has witnessed the entire circle and celebration of family relationships: pregnancy, births, confirmations, first communions, holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, engagement, marriage, divorce, offspring, grandparents, great-grandchildren, step-fathers, step-mothers, step-sisters, step-brothers, death, but always love in all of its forms.
My maternal grandfather’s name was Glen Hanson on my mother’s side. His parents were born in Richland, Wisconsin. However, their parents came from Norway, which later split into two countries: Sweden and Norway. Initially, they farmed in Wisconsin until the second generation eventually moved out to South Dakota to homestead and found a family farm. In South Dakota, he fell in love and married my grandmother whose name was Kundi. Significantly, she was a devout German Catholic, while my grandfather was a Presbyterian. Nonetheless, the were betrothed, then married. Between them, they had seven children: Leonard, Margaret, Evelyn, Carolyn, Phyllis, Norma. Sadly, one child died at childbirth—Jean, the name of whom my own mother, Margaret took as her middle name. Leonard had two sons. Next, Margaret had three sons. Later, Evelyn had a son and a daughter. Then, Carolyn had two sons and a daughter. Even later, Phyllis had a son and a daughter. Finally, Norma had two daughters. Of course, It is difficult for me to describe or compare or contrast my uncles and aunts because they were all so different. In addition, they have spread out across the land and are living in many parts of America.
On my father’s side, my paternal grandfather’s name was Edward Donahue. His family originally moved east from New York, then Chicago, and finally farmed in Nebraska. Once, at a dance in Nebraska, he met my grandmother Esther and fell in love. Of their union, four children were born: Bruce (my father), Roger, Gary, Kate, and Marilee. Sudenly, Bruce fell in love with my mother, Margaret Jean, around 1952 and they got married. Then, I was born in 1954 and have two brothers named Robert and David. Later, Roger was married and divorced and had one child. Gary was also married, divorced and after a long period, remarried and had two children. Kate had three children, a boy and two girls. Last of all, Marilee had 6 children. Two girls, and four boys.
My brother Robert was married several times and had a girl. David got married only once and has two children, one of whom is adopted. Robert is currently divorced and unmarried. I married JoHanna in 1975 and we had a son named Ian. Our son, Ian is now 22 years old. My wife’s family is originally from Italian extraction. Sadly, her mother is now a widow because her husband passed away last year. Her deceased husband, Pat had many sisters and one brother. On the other hand, Lucille had many sisters and one brother. JoHanna has two sisters: the youngest, Michelle and the next in lne, Frankie. Michelle has been married several times and does not have children. Indeed, my wife, JoHanna, was the matchmaker for her current husband, Larry. Unlike Michelle, Frankie has been married for about 30 years and has three children. In fact, she has two boys and a girl.
Our son, Ian, has only 6 cousins. In addition, he has only four uncles and three aunts. He had four grandparents and a step grandparent, but everyone has died except for my wife’s mother, his grandmother. JoHanna and I probably have 40 cousins or second cousins and many aunts and uncles as well. In fact, JoHanna’s sister and her brother-in-law are Ian’s godparents when he was baptized. I haven’t seen my godparents in many years. I currently have three sister-in-laws. The oldest, Frankie lives in New Jersey with her husband Stephen. The youngest, Michelle lives in Florida with her husband Larry. My youngest brother, David lives in Oklahoma with his wife Janie. In addition, I have several nieces. One niece, Regina, lives in California. Robert’s daughter, Katelynn, lives in Iowa and is my youngest niece. Sarah is David’s child and she is my niece that lives in Oklahoma. I have three nephews. One nephew, Eric, is a teacher who lives in Delaware. In fact, he has one or two daughters who would be my great nieces. I know that his wife, Lis, is or was pregnant, so maybe a child has been born. Another nephew, Aaron, is a college student in Connecticut who will soon be graduating college. Finally, my last nephew is Matthew who is my brother’s son and he is in elementary school in Oklahoma.
Nowadays, I am mostly in touch with my Florida family, including my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. But everyday, I think about my origins and my parents and step-father, George Harty. When I go to church, I always say a prayer to my dear mother. I have been married 27 years to my wife JoHanna, and I thank God everyday for this union. On my birthday, I think of my mother, and what it must have been like to have her first son. It makes me recall, and I remember my introduction to fatherhood and how it changed my life forever. While I am not close to some of my in-laws, I try to stay at least neutral with the whole family which is the fabric of my life. In fact, I think often of my ancestors, and the long line of my relatives who have passed away. However, I can’t say that I identify too much with my ethnic origins because in my heart I am simply an American.
Sometimes I wonder where our descendents will be. But perhaps the idea of next of kin will be expanded in the future. Gradually, family is being defined not just by blood or offspring, but the fact our fellow siblings all share the same chromosomes and the human race is in reality a race of brothers and sisters. In short, we are all kith and kin. And in this sisterhood and brotherhood relationship, we are all on a journey of human love.
| |
