Category Archives: Family Albums

Building a Mansion to Last Forever–or at least 8 years

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Kevin Walsh

This oddball-house that was torn down forty years ago keeps popping up–two years ago in a box of china and yesterday in an e-mail.

Henry Eastwood House in Ottawa

The certain things in life that Benjamin Franklin mentions, death and taxes, can also include another item–that certainty is anything but certain.  

In 1923 my great-grandfather Henry Kelly moved his law firm and large family to Detroit from Ottawa, Illinois where his Irish immigrant grandfather James had settled after helping build the Erie and Illinois canal systems as a mason.  

James had left Ireland with a conviction that he … Read More… →

Ever Want to Knock on Your Old House Door?

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Kevin Walsh

IMG_0163

I love this picture.   It was taken in 1966 in the basement of my parents’ home on Ward in Detroit.  It almost looks like a Norman Rockwell painting, the way my Uncle Bill is leaning back with the cue, my Uncle John is supervising in his vest, and my Uncle Joe is taking the shot with cousin Matt advising.  My dad is holding me and even my grandpa is watching from the booth.

It’s a perfect image of this nostalgic time that I can’t even truly remember.  We moved from the house in 1970 and those pre-6-year-old memories … Read More… →

Brother-Sister Relationships: Solid as a Bungee Cord

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Kevin Walsh

JeffersonMemorial

My daughter’s first sentence, “Aidan pushed me!” can accurately sum up most sibling relationships in the ebbs and flows of a life.   As a family historian and generally nosey individual, it’s been interesting to watch them grow apart, together, apart and together again–even before they’re out of high school.

The default setting of a new family member is encouraging–a two year old’s inquisitive look in the hospital and sloppy kiss.  Then the parents go through stages of trust and fear as the toddler gets close–but not too close to the baby.

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Beware of Grandpas Bearing Reptiles

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Kevin Walsh

Abby_GrandpaKnox_web

Abby’s upstairs studying for her sophomore year mid-term exams right now but it seems like I just took this picture on a trip to visit Patrice’s parents at their winter home in Arizona.

It completely captures both of these kind souls, Bob having fun with a toy snake bringing himself down to his two-year old grandchild’s level while Abby’s sense of fun and permanent smile completely loves her grandpa–even if he is carrying a snake.

You take for granted the walks, laughs and card games you have with parents and grandparents. It seems such a constant that it’s hard … Read More… →