still work to do

Grandma will 104 on June 10th of this year, she's always saying that she can't die yet because she still has work to do.  Quite honestly I've laughed a little when she says that because really, what kind of work does a woman her age do?  Yesterday God taught me a little lesson.  We went to the temple and while I was waiting for Grandma to finish in the bathroom a woman approached me and asked if she could hug me.  I was a little surprised, I've never met her before, but I'd seen her in the lobby when we came in and since it was the temple I said "of course" and gave her a big hug.  She held on tight and began to cry.  She thanked me for bringing Grandma.  I told her she should get a hug from Grandma before she left, she said she would wait in the hall.  When we finished in the bathroom Grandma and I stepped into the hall and Grandma gave this woman a hug.  She introduced herself and thanked Grandma for coming to the temple and setting an example for her.  I was touched.  I don't know what was going on in her life or why it was so important to her, but she was clearly touched by Grandma and showed me that Grandma really does still have work to do.  People we meet at the temple frequently tell me how inspired they are by her but none have touched me quite like the stranger we met yesterday.

New York Part 3

My sweet Grandpa died in October of 1987, I was living in Mexico that year and remember vividly the early morning phone call from my dad to tell me that Grandpa had been killed in a car accident. I wasn't able to go to New York for the funeral and had never been to his grave either. So on this visit with Grandma we made sure to go.

Below is the church next to the cemetary.

Grandma's friend, Mrs. Dragan, is buried in the same cemetary, this is Grandma at her tombstone.

Isn't this a beautiful place to be buried?

This is Grandma & Grandpa's headstone. Grandma has never put Grandpa's death date on, she thinks it's more practical to wait until she dies and do both at once...I'm sure she never thought she'd live this much longer than Grandpa!



For several years the community of Saugerties has had a kayak race in October named after Grandma, they didn't have it this year, but they had a little get together at the town beach and a belated 100th birthday party for Gram. These are some pictures of Grandma kayaking with her friend Kelly.