March 1, 2022

Dear Family and Friends, 

    February has been a very unique month, small, but full of birthdays, events and surprises for me, which I would like to share with you.

    For birthdays, in addition to Lincoln and Washington, there was Preston Jarvis, now 18 years old and a prospective missionary, and the 19th birthday of Levi Pennington, serving a mission in Yakima WA, born exactly one year apart. They've received financial help for their missions since theday they were born. It gives me such great satisfaction now to see this special dream fulfilled. Other birthdays included my late husband John, my father, great-granddaughter Makayla, my neighbor Shirley, my grandson Clint’s wife Lindsey, and we welcomed the birth of their daughter Aubriella on the 25th. Valentine tokens of love were shared by making a word-search puzzle, sending it out, and getting much love back in return. Dan’s wife Cathy sent me and both my daughters a box full of special Valentine gifts.

    The main event of the month was the trip of True to San Diego, and then to Spokane. True needs to get away from her caretaking once in a while, and being the angel that she is, always ready to help, she had made a promise to help her friend in S.D. for a week after surgery. She had also agreed to help her daughter, Cedar, complete her move from San Diego to Spokane. So, that meant I would be all alone for at least two weeks. I wasn’t worried. I had “survived” by myself before, and I do have the life alert button to push, and Shirley next door if I need help.

    But when True mentioned her plans to her brother (my son) Dan, he volunteered to come from Florida for two weeks during the time she would be gone, saying he was “delighted” to be my ‘chief cook and bottle washer’. Ha ha. I of course was excited to have Dan come and spend that time with me. He provided meals, washed dishes and clothes, and gave me my medications. We have also spent time playing games and doing puzzles together. He is a whiz at crosswords, and immediately excelled at doing Cryptoquote puzzles after I introduced them to him. We enjoy watching Jeopardy, and he can say the answers before the contestants!

    Linda has built a lovely front walkway out of pavers and old bricks from the original foundation of her house. I am now easily able to ride my wheelchair to her front door. With her real estate career and a part-time job at Home Depot, Linda was able to be with us when she could. She is very good about making my doctor appointments and taking me to them. Dan didn’t expect to be driving much so he didn’t rent a car, but the Jarvis / Seable family in the ward generously offered to let him use their “extra” car, so he was able to take me to the physical therapist, and see how they help me progress in using my “Buddy”. It’s still a struggle to get the leg on and use the potty, but it is better now that the corset-like belt business has been removed.

    Now, the surprises: One day, I  experienced my stump unexpectedly start to move and jump around uncontrollably, and it lasted continuously through the night. So I didn’t get a wink of sleep that night, but it was gone the next day and has never happened again. Why? Quien Sabe.

    The next was the unexpected appearance at our door of Stewart and his fiance Svetlana, who had come up all the way from San Mateo CA to see us before they left for London England. He is one of True’s three sons, whom she hadn’t actually seen him for quite some time, although she does keep in good contact with all her children by phone. True had intended to swing by the Bay Area and see them on the way to San Diego, but we were certainly surprised to see them. Stewart said because of a job transfer, they would be living in London for at least five years, and was afraid at my age, 94 years young, I wouldn’t be around when they returned to the U.S. I have good genes like Grandma Great, and would like to live to 100 years as she did. Anyway, it was good to see them again, and to know they thought that much of their Grandma Ree. True did still visit and stay the night with them on her long drive down to San Diego.

    The other thing that came as a complete surprise to us was, as we were talking with my sister Carol, she happened to say, “I’m getting married!” We were shocked at the news, but very enthusiastic and supportive of her in this decision to marry again, after nearly ten years as a widow herself, just like her mother and myself had done. Grandma Great was 78, I was 76, and Carol is 84, but she seems at least 10 years younger than that. Carol said we would be receiving more information about her beau and their plans soon, so we are anxiously awaiting the news.

    So, with this bit of good news and the long awaited arrival of Clint and Lindsay’s baby girl Aubriella on the 25th, I bid you all farewell, along with our Heavenly Father’s blessings to be upon you, and with my sincere love for each of you.

Marie