On the 4th May I revealed some family secrets. Here is the secret I revealed.

My mother had a distinction that surpasses the aspirations of many Amerians. As a young person in the early 20th Century, she actually resided in the WHITE HOUSE!!

It was a true story, but  Mum lived in The White House .................................... in Bigginhill, Kent, ENGLAND.

We as a family do not expect to return to that house, it was sold a long time ago. But, there is nother White House. Is it possible that we may end up there??

All was recorded at the following post:

http://open.salon.com/blog/jonmagee/2010/05/04/living_in_the_white_house

The year is 2010. The White House of Bigginhill in Kent England, is no longer in the family, no hope of returning there. But, as promised, aspirations to enter the other White House  have become a reality, and it is now time for me to make it public. Jon Magee is now residing in THE White House. No longer looking back on the family home of a previous generation, that is now something in the past, and we can not continue to be captured in the prison of past generations.

Yet, despite the looking forward, it is notposible to live in such a place without being acutely aware that history did pass this way. After all, this is the White House. On the wall is the large picture that dates back to the early 20th century. It is the picture of a relative of a previous occupant of the White House, a young boy who died young. That was not uncommon in past generations. Life expectancy was not too long.

100 years ago-A male child born in 1903 had a life expectancy of 49
years, while a female had a life expectancy of 51 years.

Today, I have seen the funerals of many who are past 100 years of age. One was 105. It is true that I have also been present at the funerals of those in their 20's, but many of them it was not through natural causes.

Though averages inevitably do not tell you the maximum and minimum age, they do give indicators of all that lies in between.

Here is a chart that shows how statistics have changed. Looking at the chart, many of us will note that if we were of a past generation we would not have survived to the age we are at. Hopefully these statistics will encourage us to be thankful for what we now have, despite any hardships we may face onthe way.

Back to the white house theme. We actually have moved in. Yes, really. We have not seen much of Barak and Michelle. Maybe they are busy with the affairs of State. but we are ok without them.

Mum moved up to Scotland 5 years before her death to live in her own home just around the corner from us. Perhaps it was a reminder of the past, but soon after arriving her house was painted white externally, and remained that way. I wander how she would be feeling now, her son in the White House.

Now, sorry if you have felt cheated in reading this item with expectations of the secrets of the President, but Presidents are not always the important people in life. We really have moved into the White house, mums White House, this time in Scotland.


and the picture?

That was mums brother Raymond. She had 3 brothers, and none of them lived too long. Mum, on the other hand, was 93 when she died in December. Quite a contrast.

Memories ........................

-------------------------------------------

One more thing, thank you for being gentlle with my daughter, doing a 6 week internship inUSA. Her blog can be found at

http://open.salon.com/blog/laineydee

For those who wish to read more of my writings, the details of my book can be seen in the link to the left. See the cover design below.