IT’S ALL ABOUT... The Family Tree

In 2021 that tree went through several changes and modifications. It had weathered many years, storms, snow, tornados and straight-line winds; as well as concerned folks with love, water and tender care. However, the bottom branch, oldest and wisest decided it was time to drop off to let the next level mature, grow, take over the support of the tree and; continuing nourishing the family. That particular branch was almost 100 years old. Most of the time trees don’t escape the Forrester by that age, and are harvested for their abundant strong hard wood. The top branch, barely starting to grow, was unfortunately taken off by the angels. That little branch hadn’t witnessed many seasons and hadn’t grown but only 11 years before she vanished from the top of the tree.

We called the oldest branch Charles, my dad; and the youngest branch was Caroline, my 3rd cousin. It was a pleasure to spend almost a century with my dad as he was my best friend. We loved traveling, having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, dining out and just spending quality time together.

That little branch at the top of the tree was a different story. My precious little cousin, “Sweet Caroline” decided during the summer she wanted to visit her “favorite Aunt”, although we were only cousins! Having never had any children, this was a definite first for me living with a young pre-teen 24-7. What a joy to witness an exciting little personality growing up. She truly kept me laughing as she practiced to be an actress. We filmed a commercial as she advertised a new “after work” drink that she made-up on the fly! She was proficient with a phony British accent; but also said you MIGHT mistake it for an Australian accent if you didn’t know any better. Little “Care-bear”, her preferred nickname, was overly dramatic when she wanted to be so. Her hand movements as she struck different poses reminded me of an old movie star. She was a young, yet old acting, actress with a put-on voice when necessary. Her forte was to act out a scene in a play morphing into as many characters as were required, changing and throwing her voice. She was growing up to be a pretty petite beautifully talented young lady.

Her “Aunt Suzanne” didn’t fail during the vacation week as we scouted all over East Texas searching for fun adventures. We encountered restaurants, shopping, antiquing, O’Ferrell’s Winery and we even managed to make our entrance into Ernest’s Supper Club in Shreveport for a first-class meal. At the porte-cochere, I stopped to let the valet take the car. Sweet Caroline looked at me as they opened her door and said in her most mature drawn-out voice “how bourgie”, an expression I had never heard. We didn’t say that when we were kids! She was the youngest in the club but while we waited for a table, we managed to sashay up to the bar for a cocktail. It was her first bar experience! The bartender truly impressed her as he shook her drink! Glad I was there as she sipped her first kitty cocktail from an old top notch Louisiana establishment.

Maybe my life missed something not having children, I’m not sure! Little Caroline really was embedding herself into my heart. While riding one afternoon, she looked at me and said, “You are my BFF.” For those that don’t know, that means BEST FRIEND FOREVER. In my entire life, nobody ever called me that and it brought a slow smile to my face as I replied, “Really?”.

Sweet Caroline returned home to Louisiana and began public school in late August. On September 13th she and her big sister, Maci, were going to get pizza. One of the big sister’s acquaintances was driving, lost control of the car at a high rate of speed and we lost our little “Care-bear” in a horrific automobile accident. As the top branch of the family tree was carried off by the Angels that night, a piece of all of our hearts went with them as well. A crime and a sin all in a couple of seconds.

There are no promised days in each of our lives. Remember to express your love and caring every single day. “I love you” and a big safe warm bear hug goes a long way as you exit your home daily to go about work or school, and again at night when you return or retire to bed. You can’t practice too much kindness or caring. Life is short. Put down the cell phone, have a conversation, be engaged with your family, friends and this wonderful life. Think about this...“Life happens while you are busy doing something else.” The Family Tree changes faster and more frequently as time speeds past. Don’t miss precious opportunities. You may only have one chance.