The husband’s aunt and cousin have arrived. The are spending a few days with us. They seem to be lovely people.

The cousin has spent a good amount of time investigating their family history. Throughout the evening, he shared stories. The husband greatly appreciated this. Although the husband has various bits of memorabilia from his family, he knows little about them or their history. He was able to make some connections and understand a bit more about who owned what and why.

They also discussed the chaos the Husband's mother put them through as they grew up. I think it was the first time the Husband realized that the neighbors and extended family were conserned about the chaos that he and his brothers went through. There was little an outsider could do to intervene. The husband’s mother always provided her children. They had food and shelter. She never abused them. The chaos resulted from many moves, constant drinking, a high turnover of her husbands and boyfriends and many lovers’ quarrels. It was not the best place for kids to grow up.