So Close

With Peggy Ann Marie,
who is named after her and her sister, and another lovely lady we know

To making it to 100 years old. Only a couple of months more. 

Still, we are grateful for every month that was given, indeed every day and hour. She was sharp right up to the end and knew Ralph when he visited yesterday and wished us all her love. As I hunted through the office for the inevitable necessary paperwork this morning, I came across birthday cards from her over the years. She always remembered everyone's birthday and sent a card with a sweet little note. I have many of them stashed away here and there.

You see, we lost Ralph's aunt yesterday, quite fittingly on International Women's Day, because she was an amazing woman. 

I used to ply her for stories when we talked on the phone after his mom died.

She was missing her sister...they were very close and talked on the phone for hours every day. So was I, and I thought that as much family history as could be saved should be. So we used to talk a lot back in day when we were lonesome.

They saw so much. Their father was a farmer up on Fiery Hill, their grandparents ran a barge on the Erie Canal. Imagine that? To be so close to history like that? I love those stories and treasure them as much as I do the ones from my own family.

And they were both so strong in the face of adversities that would break many of us in an instant.

Peggy and Ann

Peggy and Ann, sisters, together again now, and not to be forgotten, as their little namesake thunders through our lives on imaginary horses, hunting invisible lions and crocodiles under the dining room table.

Here is a story I wrote when Peg passed. It goes for both of them.