After my Father's Day post showing dad and me, more than one commenter wondered where my height came from. It's a jolly good question, Take a look at this photo.
And there I am, looming in the background, an aberration at almost 6'2".
From where and whence came I?
My paternal grandfather was also diminutive, somewhat stocky but not tall. Granny may have been taller but it is hard to tell because she had a dowager's hump from polio. My maternal grandmother was certainly not tall. However, my maternal grandfather was somewhat tall, probably 5'10" or maybe even 11". That's my best guess anyway since I haven’t seen him since I was ten years old.
My kids aren't short, but they are not giants, child 2 probably being 5'10". I should ask them.
That has made me recall a recent dream about child 2 where they were definitely taller than I. Well, I have shrunk by 3" so we might actually be seeing eye to eye, as it were. I should ask them now, and then we should stand together for a photo when we next meet. They live on the other side on the country, so I don't know when such a get-together might occur. They had a visit planned just a month or so ago, but back problems threw a wrench into the works — their back issue and not mine on that particular occasion.
I'm the small person from a tall family, married a short man from a tiny family! I towered over my 4'10" mother in law. You must have got the good vitamins!
ReplyDeleteIm pretty sure height is also a sign of good nutrition for children. Just look at the generations that have many taller athletic kids since we’ve been around! Genetics and good food, nature, nurture!
ReplyDeleteSounds like David. He is 6’1” and his brother, sister, father and mother around 5’3” tall.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha.
My paternal and maternal grandmothers were 5'10". Paternal grandfather 4" shorter and maternal grand 5'11". My mother was 5' and father 5'6". I'm 5'. Who knows? Mark's brothers are tall. Mark is 5'8".
ReplyDeleteI too am taller than everyone in my family. Also the only blonde and blue-eyed child. My brothers and sisters used to tease me that I am adopted. Makes me wonder about those genealogy tests, but does one really want to know?
ReplyDeleteI recognized your smile. I always wonder about height in family. I'm a 50/50 of mom and dad!
ReplyDeleteI thought you were standing on a box! Funny how heights work out, you just never know. Although the difference you have over your Dad and Uncles is really a "jump".
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing. Some gene was lurking just waiting for you to come about.
ReplyDeleteI'm the opposite, several inches shorter than my dad. But I have four nieces all reaching 6 feet or nearly so!
ReplyDeleteGenetics are sometimes a little wonky.
ReplyDeleteYou just never know - great photo by the way! My son is 6 ft. 4, his dad is 6 ft. and shrinking. I'm 5 ft. 6-1/2, but I probably have lost the half.
ReplyDeleteI am 5'0" tall. I have a male cousin who is 6'2".
ReplyDeleteOne other cousin, who is now deceased, was 6'4".
That's big difference in height and you don't know where it comes from.
ReplyDeleteAwww! My ex hubby was 6' 1". Our kids take after me and are much shorter. My ex's mom had giants in her family. You know. 6' 4" compared to my 5' 3".
ReplyDeleteGotta love genetics, it shows up in the strangest of ways.
Some things are just a mystery. I've found that height can come from the female side too. (if a woman is tall for a female of her time period) Several of my brothers were/are tall (6' and 6'2) and my dad was 5'11 which was tall for his generation. I'm about 5'3 like my mom was and my daughters are about my height. One of my cousins came from two tallish parents (my dad's brother and his wife) and married a tall guy--her sons are 6'8 and her daughter is 6'4.
ReplyDeleteMy son has a quibble about genetics too. According to genetics, he should look to his mother's father to predict baldness. My father had a full head of hair, and my son comforted himself with that. In his case, it did not hold true. He ended up with the very receding hairline of his paternal side.
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