NINE!
“I WANT THIS PLACE LOOKING LIKE A MILLION BUCKS BY THE TIME YOUR MOTHER GETS HOME!” was a family anthem, coined by my father and heard often when we were growing up. He would usually end it for good effect with “OR HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL!” … Here’s another Redman anthem from our childhood (recited in sibling birth order): God bless Mommy, Daddy, Jimmy, Kathy, Colleen, Danny, Sherry, Johnny, Joey, Bobby, and Tricia. As mad as we could be at each other, after a day of bedlam, we would kneel by our beds with hands folded and say this prayer. When we got older, we said it in our beds because kneeling was for little kids. I said this prayer until I reached the age of 20, and I’m sorry that I ever stopped. It was always said quickly, in one long breath, as though it were all one word, as though it were all one thing that could never be divided. ~ From Colleen’s book “The Jim and Dan Stories.”
When my husband and I first met, we clicked right away. It might have had something to do with the fact that we share a similar background. We both come from families of 9 siblings. “Sort of like sharing the same nationality,” I had said. But we also share that.
I’m Irish on my father’s side of the family and German on my mother’s side. My husband is Irish on his mother’s side and German on his father’s. In fact, his father was born and raised in Germany, which is the root of this family story:
When his parents were courting, at one point his mother asked his father, “Do you like children?” To which his father vehemently answered, “Nein!” (Pronounced NINE but meaning NO in German).
Apparently, his mother heard NINE, and the rest is history. My husband’s family prayer probably went like this… God Bless Mommy, Daddy, Barbara, Maryanne, Rosemary, Michael, Joey, Maureen, Stephen, Jimmy and Larry.
Photo: Taken in 1996 for my parents 50th wedding anniversary at Stony Beach, in Hull, Massachusetts, where we grew up. Back row: Jimmy, John, Joey, Bobby, Danny. Front row: Sherry, Colleen, Kathy, Tricia.
October 24th, 2005 12:01 pm
What a sweet way to end your day growing up. I really like that, Colleen. Nein = Nine. Hillarious. Thanks for the nice post.
October 24th, 2005 12:30 pm
Speaking of 9’s…it’s hard to believe that picture was taken 9 years ago! Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col – Good post Col. No I’m not stuttering…I’m complimenting you nine times.
October 24th, 2005 4:10 pm
What fun. My dad has a moderately large family but my mom was an only child. I’m sure large families mean more fun, more laughs and more memories.
October 24th, 2005 6:03 pm
more birthdays, more weddings, and eventually more funerals….
but the reunions now that we’re all adults and growing families of our own are really starting to be a hoot.
joeyk aka #5 klein
October 24th, 2005 6:39 pm
Hello, Michele sent me.
What a lovely post about family. Off to read more!
October 24th, 2005 10:58 pm
Great shot and great post! Mary and I have a “mixed marriage” — she’s one of five and I’m an only child. It’s been cool getting to know each other’s different perspectives.
October 24th, 2005 11:16 pm
As an only child, I covet the closeness you have with your siblings. I would have been happy with one – but eight would have been heaven. I know it was not all great – but the later rewards are!
October 25th, 2005 8:35 am
I love to read your stories. My husband is Irish and Italian. We clicked right away, too. In fact I just moved right in and never left. This is not highly recommendad…. 😉
October 26th, 2005 3:55 pm
Nine children.. I can not even imagine. You must have sooo many stories.
Our heritage is similar. My dad was Irish and my mom was German.
October 26th, 2005 5:44 pm
I love this photo! Also, such a bonus for me because I get to know which one Kathy is too.
My dad is German and my mom, Irish. I got a kick out of the “nein” story. Great family post, Colleen!