My Grandmother just Passed away She is either closed to 100 or passed it. I have lost count. She lived a very full and productive life. Lots of hard work, but I think she had fun also with the families, in her own grandmother sort of way. I am glad that I saw her just before the New Years, since I live literally half the world away. Did not think that would be the last time though. It is still nice to have that fresh image in my mind, her eating chicken wings, telling and retelling the same stories.

This George Bernard Shaw quote on life and living is quite appropriate for her, having lived through war time, peace time, bringing up children and grandchildren, all in her days work:

This is the true joy in life...being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one...being a force of Nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making your happy....I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It's a sort of splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

We have your torch now, Grandma.