April 1, 2022

Dear family and friends, 

    Although this is April Fools Day, there's no fooling about the things that took place during the month of March, as follows: True, my live-in care-giving daughter, was gone for three weeks from mid-February to early March, and was able to witness the birth of her granddaughter Aubriella in Spokane before returning home. My son Dan flew out March 1st after spending two weeks taking care of me.

    While he was here, Dan succeeded in helping me make the conversion to sending my monthly letters in a more modern format. He observed how involved and expensive it is to send everything out via "snail mail" with almost 80 letters going to the post office, so we decided to use email and update a blog online each month instead. He convinced me it was necessary to make the change. I hope you like it! So, please be sure to give us your email address, to either grandmaree27@gmail.com (mine) or mundelldan@gmail.com (Dan's).

    Dan took me to a Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) meeting at the stake center. I brought a little multi-colored clutch purse with me, rather than a large heavier one, because it has all the essentials, including copies of my ID and health cards. Well, when we got home I couldn't find my purse! He searched the car but found nothing. We had been the last to leave the building, so there wasn't anyone to call to see if it had been found. I was obviously concerned, but not too worried, because I was certain whoever found the purse would see my ID and call me to return it immediately. So I waited, and waited, until I finally decided that it really must be lost, and leave it in the hands of the Lord, hoping that whoever had that cute little purse would enjoy it as much as I did. 

    When Dan left, my daughter Linda wanted to clean out the car he borrowed from the Seables before returning it to them. But it was locked and she couldn't find the keys. Oh no! Now what do we do? We called Dan, and he said he'd left the keys on top of the dryer along with the portable door handle I use to get in and out of a car. We found the handle, but the keys weren't there. Now what? It was only after we removed the handle that we discovered the missing keys hidden there. What a relief! Now Linda could give the car a good cleaning as planned. The little car had a lot of things stored neatly in the hatchback, which didn't need to be disturbed. When Linda came back into the house, her hands were behind her back and she had a big smile on her face. "I've got something you might like to see" she said, pulling her hands to the front. And there, believe it or not, was that sweet little purse I'd thought was gone forever. I gasped, then cried. It was good to know it had been safely tucked away in the back of the car, but not lost unto the Lord, who had caused Linda to find it. We were glad both of our "missing mysteries" had been solved.

    At church, I usually sit in my wheelchair at the back of the chapel, and at the back of the classroom too, where I listen but don't participate very much. Recently I've made myself more noticed by sharing my self-made word search puzzles with the class members in Relief Society and Sunday School. I've made one for almost every holiday or occasion, and I love sharing them with others. Since the gospel doctrine topic for study is the Old Testament this year, I made one about Methuselah, which was fun. Then for a lesson about Jacob and his dream of a ladder, I asked the teacher for permission to share a little string activity called Jacob's Ladder with the class. So instead of being in the back, that week I was in front and maybe because I was a little nervous about being in the limelight. my fingers slipped each time I tried to demonstrate how it was done. But on my fifth try, right before it was time to start the class, I was able to complete Jacob's Ladder and display it, to the applause from class members. I was so ashamed of my performance and apologized to the teacher afterwards, but she was very gracious about it, and even praised me for not giving up. But it was an embarrassing experience for me, I'll be sure to do more practicing next time. 

    If you remember from last month's letter, we had an unexpected visit from my grandson Stewart and his fiance before they moved to London for the next 5 years. Well, we got a much appreciated call from them, letting us know they had arrived safely. We were happy to hear from Stewart, but we weren't glad to get a call from his brother Denver. He said, "Grandma, I'm in deep trouble and I need your help." He went on to explain, even breaking down and crying, that he had had an accident, his nose was broken so he couldn't talk too well, but had injured a pregnant woman and was in jail. True was standing nearby, and when she heard him plead for $6000 in bail to get him out, she asked him for more information. When he said it was to be only in cash and not to tell anyone, we both knew it was a scam! True even called Denver at his work and told him what had just happened. It's too bad that so many people, especially older ones like me, are still taken in by these 'Grandma' calls and end up losing thousands, so beware!

    I know the weather this time of year can be very unpredictable, but during the three weeks True was away, we had several days of extremely cold weather. No snow, but lows were in the 20s, which froze most of our plants and flowers outside. True was really disheartened by this, but as soon as it warmed up again she was outside, trying to save what she could and replace what she couldn't. She loves working outdoors and communing with nature. I like to be outside too, scooting around in my mobile chair. I've even tried walking with my prosthetic leg on and holding onto a walker, but I never felt really ready for that yet.

    But now for the really BIG NEWS of the month: on the 28th I was fitted for a new leg, one with a flexible knee! This allows me to walk better, not so stiff-leggedly, but at a more normal gait. Of course, because it is different I'll have to learn how to use it all over again. But again, I have set goals for myself to accomplish and I'm working hard to make this walking business a reality. 

    I still have much to learn about how using email works, and I would love to receive any advice or encouragement you'd care to pass along. I send my love and blessings to each of you -- from Marie, Ree, Grandma Ree, Auntie Ree, whatever fits for you.