Last Tuesday my grandma Ellen died.  She was 98, almost 99.  Less than two weeks ago she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and put on hospice. I saw her on Friday and Monday night and both times she looked the same--non-responsive and looking like it was a little difficult to breathe despite the extra oxygen she was on.  After watching her abilities decline for several years and feeling like her quality of life has not been that great, I don't feel sad about her passing.  Her husband died almost 25 years ago and her parents and siblings have all died.  She was always pleasant company but her life seemed lonely despite our efforts to visit and bring her places.  I feel certain that she is much happier being reunited with her loved ones who have passed on. So yesterday we had her funeral and burial.  I was impressed with the number of her grandchildren that came.  At the time of her death, she had 39 grandchildren, 110 great-grandchildre...

Recently Susanna turned 18!  Here are some great things about Susanna: 1.  She is very responsible.  I never have to wonder if she has turned in her homework or done any job she is supposed to do.  Right now, she is making dinner because that's her job for tonight and she is doing it!  What a great quality! 2.   She gets along well with her siblings, most of the time.  Here she is with her brother at the airport just back from his mission in August. 3.  She has a great smile.  It's always nice to see Susanna happy and smiling. 4.  She's good at playing both the piano and violin.  She started piano when she was 5 and violin when she was 9.  She took lessons on both until she was 14.  She would have liked to continue doing both but I told her it was time to choose one.  Here she is with her duet partner from a long time ago. 5.  She likes to eat healthy food.  Here she ...