Shaw/Wolf

 My maiden name is Shaw  which comes from: The English surname was also established in Ireland in the 17th century. Scottish and Irish: adopted as an English form of any of various Gaelic surnames derived from the personal name Sitheach ‘wolf’. Americanized form of some like-sounding Ashkenazic Jewish surname. (Ancestry.com)

I was born in Northern Alabama in Etowah County, in the city of Gadsden, 1954. My Dad was born in Cherokee county. I’m told that my Grandpa, “Paw Shaw” as he was known, could throw a rock and kill a rabbit. I was also told that he was a great baseball player and they wanted him to play professional baseball but he wouldn’t leave Alabama. He lived to be, I believe, 97 years old, I know he was in his nineties when he died. My grandma Shaw was in her nineties, as well, when she died. They were married for 75 years. I can hardly imagine that…SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS MARRIED. Some people don’t even live to be that old and yet they stayed married, that is something to ponder. Of course in those days that’s what you did, you stayed married for life.

My dad is 89 years old. I just talked to him he sounded good but he’s not as strong as he used to be…age has a way of doing that…we laughed and discussed a few things…Life sure is strange…but it goes on…

I didn’t grow up knowing my dad on a day to day basis, but I love him, and every time I call him and we hang up the phone I say, “I love you dad.” He says, “I love you too dar’lyn…I always have and always will, I love you dearly…”

No matter how old we get…there is nothing like talking to your mom or your dad…time slips away when we aren’t looking.

If your parents are living…call them…tell them you love them…even if they don’t say it back…some just don’t know how!

Love as if there is no end…

Forgive like there is no tomorrow…

And live as long and courageous as you can!

It’ll be gone too soon…so make the moments count!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 13, 2017