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More Memories of Sharon: Typing Class, a Bad Hair Day, and Almost Like Sisters

(Image: rawpixel.com) "A Rose for Sharon," my recent post about preserving my sister Sharon's memory, sparked some lovely, fun, and poignant reminiscences from family and friends. With their permission, I'm sharing them here.  My Aunt Sharon surprised me with this fact: "I remember when we took a typing class together at night school. I could never keep up with her. God love her.  " I had never heard this before! My sister attended Bowling Green State University for a time, and my aunt said they took the class together after Sharon left BGSU and moved home. Eventually, Sharon attended Bryant & Stratton and was about to graduate. Her diploma was awarded posthumously. "Sharon was such a sweet and lovely young lady who had a great smile and gorgeous hair," recalls my Aunt Marian. "I remember how excited she was going to Bowling Green when your mom drove her there and I went along. She was ready to go to college and get on with her life. A be...
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So Many Stories to Tell

Young Thomas J. "Tommy" Kozlina and my mom Anna Margaret Kozlina.
Friends,

This past year, I have dedicated much time to my favorite hobby: family history. I have read books, listened to podcasts, attended workshops, and begun again, to research our family lines.

I do so for a variety of reasons, but mainly I am intrigued and excited by the people the research reveals. At first, it was all about the names and dates, and "how far can I get back?" And, while that is still somewhat of a focus (Apparently, we cannot go back to Ireland until I find out where the Casey line is from!), I find more and more that I am just drawn into the stories that emerge, as I find more details of our ancestors' lives.

There's the funny stuff : "Polish Wedding Causes Trouble," is the headline of a newspaper article featuring my great grandmother Margaret McAndrew Gilbride. We'll save that one for another post.

There's everyday life: "So-and-So is visiting their mother this week." The not-so-everyday: "Sleeping Sickness Fatal to Girl."

There are stories which break your heart, and ones that make you nod your head and say, "Oh, so THAT's why..."

There are discoveries of familial likenesses, shared hobbies, tales of travel from abroad, and tales of deeply held American roots. There are railroad men, a hockey player, a prominent blacksmith, several coal miners, a nun and a priest...

Newspaper snippets - the Facebook of the time - recording who visited whom, or who wore what to whose wedding. There are both slices of everyday life and memorable moments in photo. There are bunches of interesting folk, who lived sometimes ordinary, sometimes extraordinary lives.

So many stories to tell. And here in this little space, I hope to share them with you.

Come on along.
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