Day 95, Year 7: Tribute to Conda Ganelle Fisher Martin
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Weather: Overcast with Snow, Temps in the High 20’s
Location: Brewer Fiddler’s Cove Marina, N Falmouth, MA
Before I get to the tribute to my sister-in-law, I’ll share some of our activities today. It was spitting snow out when we got up and the dock was a bit slippery, but we headed to the Saturday Farmer’s Market anyway. It has been such a mild winter here that the local farmers have been able to keep the market open supplying us with locally and organically grown vegetables. There are white potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cooking greens, salad greens, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, and squashes. You can also buy chicken, beef, and lamb and an assortment of breads and bakery items. We are in the process of shifting our diet to be more plant-based, so going to the Saturday market is going to become an important part of our food shopping. In the afternoon we went to the near-by home of our friends Claire and Dick Wiklund for a gathering of some of the members of their local RV association. When you own an Airstream you can join the Wally Byam Caravan Club International and the friends who came to Dick and Claire’s today were from this region–some from Massachusetts, some from Rhode Island, and one couple from New Jersey. They invited us as “waterstreamers” and we had a great time getting to know new people and talking about their camping experiences. The company and the food were both great. We walked over in the snow, but by the time we left the snow had stopped. We didn’t get the three to six inch accumulation predicted, but we did get colder weather. I guess it is about time. And tonight we have talked with a few cruising friends on Skype and talked to Justin, Jo, and Ziggy. So it was a busy day.
Two years ago today Mark and I were in India when my brother Dickie died. Today was the memorial service for his wife, my sister-in-law, Conda Ganelle Fisher Martin. I can think of no greater tribute to a person than the words written by grandchildren. Just after Conda’s death on Sunday evening, the young grandchildren gathered around her to say their goodbyes and then they sat down to write letters to send away with her. I am copying here the letters they wrote.
Dear Grandma,
I ‘now’ you loved church, so I drew this (arrow pointing to a cross). I love you soooo much and I will never forget you and you are the best thing that has ever ‘happend’ to me. And you will always be in all of ‘are’ hearts. We will never forget you.
Love, Ashlyn (age 6)
Dear Grandma,
I hope you have a good time up their (there). We hope you can see Grandpa again. We really love very much.
I Love You, Olivia (age 7)
Dear Grandma,
You were the best grandma a kid could ask for. You are in a better place. Tell Grandpa I miss him and love him. You might not be down here with us but you will always be in my heart. I love you sooooooo much. I miss you so much. You will always be in my prayers.
Love, Kaelin (age 10)
Dear Grandma,
I love you. You have done so much for me and I can’t thank you enough. (I) Am going to live life just like you. I can’t wait to tell you about my faith and my career. You are my inspiration to be great and give every last bit of my life to become better. Tell Papal that I love him and that I can’t wait to see him. I am going to help all of the kids and I am going to help everyone her(e). Please promise to help us out and I will do whatever it takes to help out this family. I can’t wait to see you and Papal and I will never forget you. Can’t wait to see you.
Love, Cory (age 13)
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| 120211 Day 95 Cape Cod, USA–Tribute to Conda |
