Family friends

I am one of the lucky ones. I've always seemed to have a lot of luck in life, whether it be finding my way out of a tough situation just in time when you feel the walls closing in, or finding treasures in hidden places and unexpected ways. But I realize that the most valuable things we can find in life we are already born with, the friendships we can have and develop with our families. And my grandma is an extra special one at that, there is no one quite like her. So I am one of the lucky ones.. to have gotten to become her friend.

But it wasn't always like that. Even as a younger man I lived with her for a time, but back then she was just grandma to me. You know, that superficial kind of love that we all start out with for family even if we may not actually know who they are. It's only in maybe the last decade I began recognizing her as one of my greatest friends. Right now I think I may have missed a lot of opportunities.. I never got to travel with her, learn how to paint or sew with her, ask her what all her paintings and quilts meant to her and the stories behind them (although i am grateful to have learned a few), or bake and cook with her often (which is something i love to do now, and she recently very much enjoyed a slow cooked brisket i prepared, telling me it was delicious, and so tender it was easy for her to eat. She actually loved it so much she bought an entire brisket for me to make on my dad's birthday).

Even when I was little going to Grandma's house was an exciting adventure. She always had fun and challenging games that she would play with me, demonstrating her love of learning at an early age. Exploring the age old wonders of the basement, or crusading through the back alley forest near the house was a real quest especially with the camaraderie

of siblings and cousins. Many a greatsword stick were honed in the blood of the evil weeds and invasive catalpa trees. Sometimes sustenance could be found in the long forgotten orchard forts, and the very best apple I ever ate was from an old tree in her own backyard. I'll still be searching for that variety to this day and as I grow my own orchards.

But when I really learned just how special grandma is, is when I finally decided to sit down and talk, get to know her and let her know me. She could talk to you about anything. Never a boring moment, she always had a story to share, or exciting new information she had learned about health and science in harmony with natural ways. Always providing good advice, but never judging harshly or telling you what to do, just providing a new perspective.

She always told me 'travel is the greatest form of education'. I think one of her favorite places was Ireland. I'd like to go there some day. This is a picture of when she and Rachael made my day coming to visit me at work on 25th St. It may have been St. Patrick's day.. or I might have just been feeling lucky.