Nana and her Siblings

A few weeks ago, I saw on Facebook that we were celebrating National Siblings Day. It made me think about Nana and her four siblings - Elizabeth, Grace, John and Ben. Sadly, Nana and her brother Ben are the only surviving siblings. 

The Tilburg Siblings 1940's 

Nana's oldest sibling was her sister Elizabeth. I don't remember anyone ever calling her Elizabeth. Nana called her Lib. I called her Auntie. Although Lib was 13 years older than Nana, they were always close. Growing up at the Staggert Place, I remember Auntie and her husband Luther visiting often. Auntie and Uncle Lukie (as we called Luther) never had any children, but they made all their nieces and nephews feel special. Sharon and I spent many summer and Christmas vacations visiting Auntie's spotless house on Fifth Street in Hughesville. After Uncle Lukie died in 1980, Nana and Auntie spent more time together. Sunday's tradition was to meet in Hughesville for lunch at a local restaurant after both attended their own church. When Auntie died in 1988, it left a big hole in our lives, but for Nana it was especially sad. I know she still misses her.

Nana and Lib 1982

Grace was Nana's other older sister. She was married to Tom and they lived in South Williamsport in a tiny house that Uncle Tom built. The house was perched on the edge of busy Route 15. In 1966, during the summer before my senior year of high school, I spent weekdays staying with Aunt Grace and Uncle Tom while working at Little League Baseball. I stayed in the cozy little bedroom previously occupied by their son Jack, who by then was married and had his own family. Aunt Grace was always kind to me and Uncle Tom was fun. After Uncle Tom died of cancer in 1972, for years Aunt Grace struggled and gradually, Auntie and Nana realized Aunt Grace was not like herself. Eventually Aunt Grace was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Jack made the difficult decision to place her in a nursing home for her own safety. She spent her remaining years confined in a nursing home until she died in 1994. Even though there were times Aunt Grace didn't know who she was, Nana made regular visits to see her. Nana's loyalty to her sister, even in those difficult circumstances, shows Nana's compassion and her character. I admire her so much for what she did for Aunt Grace.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Grace and Jack (Unknown Date)

Nana's oldest brother was John. Uncle John was 3 years older than Nana and her stories about going to Pike's Peak School always involved her and Uncle John wading through the snow banks to get to school. I think the closeness Nana shared with Uncle John was a bond made stronger during World War II.  I've seen pictures of John and Nana with him in uniform. During our childhood, Sharon and I often visited Uncle John and his wife Aunt Dorothy. We enjoyed spending time there with their two daughters, Grace and Gloria, who were our ages. Through the years, Nana never stopped calling herself John's little sister. Even when Uncle John was in his last days in hospice care, Nana took his hand and said, " John, it's your little sister Deanie." I know he heard her. Uncle John passed in May 2012.

Uncle John and Nana WWII

Ben is Nana's youngest sibling. Born in 1930, he's 7 years younger than Nana. Because Uncle Ben stayed behind to help care for Nana's bed-ridden mother, he never left the family home. After my grandmother passed, he worked on a farm owned by one of our relatives. The years of physically hard labor have taken a toll on his health, especially his knees. With limited mobility for both Nana and Uncle Ben, it's hard for them to visit. With hearing issues, even talking on the phone is a challenge. In the past, I've taken Nana to see Uncle Ben and recently Bill brought Uncle Ben to see Nana. She was so happy to see her little brother.

Uncle Ben December 2013

When Nana was growing up, they didn't have Facebook or National Siblings Day. They didn't need it. Everyday was Siblings Day. 

The Tilburg Siblings 1983