I consider myself very lucky in the family department. I actually got to know my great-grandparents and my great-aunt before they died, and not too many people can say that. Hmm... well, I think I'll start by talking about my dad's side of the family.
My grandpa Z. was adopted. He's actually a Leparde, but his family was kind of poor, so the Zintels took him in, because the Lepardes couldn't really afford him, I guess. Grandpa (obviously) married my grandma, and she's an Asmus. My great-grandma Asmus was cool. I remember that she had a glass eye, and it kind of freaked me out, but she was nice. My great-aunt Mary was so, so sweet. I would come over here (I live in her and my great-aunt's house now) and talk to Aunt Mary when I was fed up with getting lectured by dad. She was so understanding, and such a good listener. Plus, the chocolate deserts she kept in the freezer for my brother, cousins, and I didn't hurt. :-) I learn a little more about the Asmuses just about every year when I go to Germans From Russia at Christmas time. It's a lot of fun. It makes me proud to go there, and sing Christmas songs with the people I love. When I look around at Germans From Russia, I feel very accepted, and know that I'm a part of something, and it makes me feel all warm and gooey inside.
My dad met, went out with for four years, and finally married my mom, a Shoup. My grandpa Shoup is awesome, and so were his parents. Great-Grandma Shoup got alzeimers before I got to know her too well, but Great-Grandpa was really cool. He was hilarious! He was depressed a lot, but he said I always cheered him up, and that makes me really happy to know. The Shoups are all just *awesome*. My grandpa, Uncle Raymond, and Uncle Ron are all just hilarious... I just *love* hanging out with them. I don't know very much about the Windles. I know they were a huge family, and my grandma didn't like how her dad and brother smoked.
Right now, I'd just like to take the time to put a huge message in here that's very important to my grandma Shoup, and myself. DO NOT SMOKE! I don't care if you got into it because of peer pressure, 'cause you think you're cool, or 'cause you thought it'd be nice to pick up an unhealthy addiction, DON'T DO IT!!!! My uncle Jerry died from throat cancer, and it was a really gross, gruesome death. In his last few days, he had to blow his nose through a tube in his neck, which he also had to eat and drink out of. Also, DON'T DRINK! My grandma's dad drank a lot and got this weird ulcer thing that he died from. And don't do drugs, just 'cause it's wrong. It'll make ya nutty. And one final message, don't look at porn. It destroys marriages.
Even though my parents are divorced, I love both sides of my family. I still consider us all one family, too. My family members are all my friends. I'd rather hang out with my family than anyone else. 'Cept for maybe Rory.
--Holly the "Holy" Zintel
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