See You Later, Sally!!

My oldest sister, Sally, died Friday night Sept. 16.  Her given name is Joan.  I don't know how she

became Sally, but that is how I've known her.  She was 90 years of age and endured Alzheimer's for the past 5 years.

These are difficult times for me as they make me more aware that I didn't grow up with my family of 11 children. The amount of time that I actually interacted with Sally since I was 5 or 6 is probably no more than a month's worth of living.  It's like I've "popped in and out" of their lives since then.  I was an occasional visitor, coming back to ensure I was still part of the family.  

I think she was involved in driving 5 of us to the orphanage in Vincennes, IN when I was about 5.  I remember her coming with a friend to visit and bringing Hershey bars.  

(Photo: St. Vincent orphanage)

Fred, John, Pete, Georgia, Kate

I was living as a foster daughter with the Sperry family when Sally got married in Indianapolis.   I was going to go but at last minute something happened and I wasn't able to.

(Photo: Mom, Gertrude; Sally; Pop, John; grandpa Mike, whom I never met; youngest sister, Betsy...I acquired the picture sometime in my adult years)

I recall, also, when I returned home for a few months spring of my 3rd grade, that she patiently combed and cut out tangled hair from pig tails left from my time with the Sperry's.  I didn't know how to care for my hair by myself so I left them in for I don't know how long.  

Jarosinski family home in Indianapolis

Oldest child, Eugene, and Sally, second oldest

Mom with Rosie, Sally, Paula, Fred and Pete

Sally, with her 2nd husband George (after Jack died)

One of her famous family meals

Six sisters, several years back,

 Sally, Rosie, Paula, Kate, Georgia, Betsy

July 2021

Most recent photo, July 2022

Sally, Kate, Georgia, Betsy

 

 

      She was gentle and motherly to her family of six and to all of us.  She would dote on me whenever we visited and on one occasion called me "special".  Earlier years she always inquired about my life and family in northern Wisconsin. 

Joan “Sally” Petty-Koerber of Nashville (formerly Greenfield), Indiana, age 90, passed away Friday, September 16th, 2022. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 20, 1932, daughter of the late John and Gertrude (Herbertz) Jarosinski

Everyone who knew Joan felt her big heart and giving nature. She was a genuine example of what it meant to have a servant’s heart. She will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her. She enjoyed gardening, swimming, and had a love for entertaining. She had a special love for her church (St. Agnes) where she was an active member, working in the office and being a part of the women’s guild. She loved her family and friends dearly.

REFLECTIONS

   It's a bit ironic that I didn't attend Sally's celebration of life service, with having missed her wedding years earlier.  I am comforted in knowing I was able to visit with her several times during my adult years and almost yearly in recent times.  I am at peace knowing that before too long we will have eternity to hang out with each other. Family bonds remain even if one doesn't physically live with them.  I feel it more now than in my youth and earlier years. I am grateful for the time I have had with all my siblings.  

This has been a good 2 GeoGram weeks in the life of Grandma G.

"On this mountain he [Jesus] will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces."  (Isaiah 25:7-8)

Early Autumn

 I took a 2 mile early autumn walk on Thursday, Sept. 8.  The sun was hot but the breeze was chilly.  There is a quiet peace about this time of year.

Like the change in the air there is change in my surroundings.  Our park is now next to an apartment complex (in construction) where once was an open field.

Various early September happenings...

The most perfect half moon I've ever seen!!

Feathery, angel wing cloud over Vancouver

Gram G got a new roof put on in one day!

My second attempt at spaetzle...

turned out yummy.  Tried a different receipe.  A bit messy to make, but lots of chewy little noodles

Zach took me on adventures to the Vancouver Waterfront

Columbia River Gorge

One of the several high waterfalls

Smaller, Lucia Falls, north of Vancouver

___________________________________

But this time of year is not without its dangers! Friday and Saturday, 9/9-10, the weather turned hot with high winds and dry air.  Wild fire smoke filled the outside.  I stayed indoors with the air conditioning running full speed. The smoky air congests my lungs and gives me asthma. I decided to bake banana bread to use up bananas and eggs.  All was well until the first ever power outage for me. I had a sense of panic since my house is stifling without the air conditioning and the outside air was as bad.  I called Debbie to see if she was home and had power.  She was and did!  I told her I'd come over if my power wasn't back on within 30 minutes.  Blessedly it was!  I was a bit surprised at my sense of panic and helplessness.  But also encouraged there was relief for me if needed.  The power came back on. I finished the banana bread while enjoying healthy breathing.  Today, Saturday, I am staying inside and plan to occupy my mind with cleaning the piano studio (maybe), working on this post and organizing a new blog (more to come) and making chicken pot pie!  Yah, that is what I will do! 

_________________________

10 Years in Review!

__________________________

10 years ago on August 18, my sisters, Betsy and Kate, and I left Park Falls, WI for a 10 day, 1,300 mile road trip to Vancouver, WA!

One stop was Rugby, ND, the geographical center of North America

Also checked out an oil rig in ND

Tried our hand (and legs) at hitch hiking

 

Met up with niece, Vicky,  in Montana

 

Crossed the Canadian boarder to visit Banff and Lake Louise

Collected and drank 8 ounces of 12,000 year old glacier water...here's to living to 120!!

Got a living picture of the three sisters and their mountain namesake

Post card of the THREE SISTERS MOUNTAINS in the Canadian Rockies

Were encouraged to enjoy the journey in British Columbia

Washington put out a welcoming sign for me!

(For many years I lived on Evergreen Street and now I am expanding my back yard to the Evergreen State)

Welcoming dinner at Island Cafe, Saturday, August 28!

Gram G drove her buggy cross country...with help from Vicky...to become a mountain mama

A journey well accomplished

You all come back for more 10 year review!

____________________

REFLECTIONS

         These past three days I haven't done much except to piddle around in the house while binge watching THE CROWN.  My excuse is taking refuge from the heat and unhealthy air.  They have shown me how quickly ideal weather and living conditions can change.  And to appreciate more when things go OK.  I've already talked about a sense of panic in the unexpected and vulnerable with the relief of knowing there is also a way of escape. I am grateful.  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) 

This has been a good 3 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (Isaiah 26:12)