September 21, 2010
Dear Grandma. Somewhere in heaven, you are sitting around celebrating today. I am sure you are humble about your birthday - as you were humble about much of your life. You probably didn't tell the angels around you, but of course, they knew. And when they woke you on this special day, you grinned, enjoying a day void of pain, worry and being full of wisdom and light.
We are celebrating your birthday. Each of us are doing it in different ways.
For me, I have thought about you off and on as I spend my day doing work in New York. Of all my grandparents, you would have been the one who would have felt as comfortable walking around with me here as you would have been in Kansas. That was your way. Open to exploring the world. Open to new things. You didn't judge too much while you were here on earth. Unless of course, someone had a misplaced ear ring, or facial hair or something that perhaps the nuns might not have liked in your school.
Today, I did New York things. My breakfast was at a typical bagel shop with a cream cheese of lox and spread. I would have asked you if you wanted to try. You would have said, "Why not!"
I worked in the day today, working on ideas about the future. I rushed off to a dinner at an Italian restaurant, and then on to a show on Broadway. If had asked, you would have been here in a second, tracking along, doing whatever sounded interesting.
It is midnight. I am on third street - having a late night glass of wine, checking email.
It would have been great to have been able to show you Facebook. With your typing skills, and thoughts of connecting up, I think you would have liked it. And you would have been willing to sign up and make a go of it.
If you were sitting with me tonight, you would be just as content to sip on a margarita and just watch the traffic and people go by. And even thought it was midnight, you would have been as stimulated as I am watching life go by.
This year, I did something to think about you. I started to make pickles. They are not the greatest. And I have not used the canning method. But I am making a go of it. I worked with Megan recently to make some pickles back in Kansas. I am there tomorrow, and look forward to see how they turned out. When I think of canning and pickles - I think of you. I was fascinated since I can remember, thinking about going down into your cellar off your porch and seeing the rows of lined up jars. Unfortunately, I never really paid that much attention to your periods of canning. I wish it was something I would have learned more about from you.
You have been on our minds over the last year. For some, it was difficult to even mention your name without shedding a tear. Your kids miss you very much. Marty Sue misses you very much. We still can't drive by Midland Hospice Care and talk about your days there, without a lump in the throats. It will take time, because while for you, it was your earth departure day, for us, it was the last day for a long time that we had a chance to hang out with you.
We know you are here.
We hope to continue to receive your guidance - either through a religious way - or simply through inspiration by following how you lived life.
We want to wish you a happy birthday!
Love,
Rick
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