I keep meaning to switch my user name again... Ten years ago, I think I was already on GW--I suspect I came on slightly after Andie, because I think it was just about the time the GP started. I had an Internet connection of sorts in the early '90s--something called "Prodigy" that was pretty basic and didn't have much of a graphic interface. I switched to a Mac in '94 and started using the precursor to Netscape. I ventured onto GW when I had a question about black tomatoes. I chose my user name accordingly. Bigfoot was one of the first to answer my question, along with a Robin from Calif. Suzanne, Diana was the dark-haired daughter of a Nobel physicist. I saw her name in the paper not too long ago in a listing of area how-to classes (hers was mosaics). I'm in that group photo of Linda C's too, looking, unfortunately, rather better and younger than I do now. And, Linda C, I fear the martini drinker may have been me. Are olives not a legitimate food group? Ms. Ann Thrope

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Auntjen. The way she died sounds so sad. The ray of light in all this sadness is how you have celebrated her life by sharing some of her charm, sweetness and good nature with us. We can feel her presence even in her absence, because of you. We can in a small way, all celebrate her life by reflecting on your story of her. Your post honors and thanks her for touching you so deeply through her communications and loving spirit. Shortly after a friend of mine died many years ago, I felt a compelling urge to get back into doing volunteer work. My friend had been an amazing social worker, and I was overcome with a desire to emulate her in some way, to extend some of the goodness she had offered to others. I know I haven't come close to giving what she gave to others, but the impulse to give back, indeed a compulsion to, was born from her death. Maybe sometimes fighting for a cause or embodying the values and concerns of a person who has died can help us to cope with their loss.

God bless you. You've suffered losses these recent past years and yet you're still standing. What an amazing strong person you are. Please forgive this lengthy tale, but to me this gives hope that our loved ones are always around though we can't see them. My 29 yr old brother was killed in 1977 and it's hard to believe so much time has passed since his death. I believe in signs,and I know you do, too. So let me share this with you. I always wondered what he would have looked like as he got older and I almost got to see first hand. I was at a social function with about 100 other people and found myself in conversation with an attractive gentleman that I imagined would be how my brother would look at this age had he lived. As we spoke we found we had so many things in common...previous pet's names, childhood experiences, similar likes and dislikes. He asked if I had any relatives in PA (we're from FL) and if I possibly had been adopted as a child because I looked like so many of his cousins. In fact, I looked as if I could be a part of his family. I don't have family there and I wasn't adopted. I then admitted that I imagined my deceased brother would look like him if he had lived. We went on talking and found we had many more common experiences than we originally found out about. Then as a joke we asked each other for our birthdates to see if that was a commona factor as well. I gave my birthdate first and he said his was different. Then, he told me his birth date and I was stunned! I burst into tears and he couldn't understand why. Turns out his date of birth and year were my brother's birthdate. What are the odds of that happening? I feel this was a way for my brother to let me know he was okay. I feel I was blessed to have spent an enjoyable evening with my brother that night and it gave me a sense of peace. And by the way, this man wasn't on the guest list. He was visiting a friend and just tagged along for the evening. I hope each one of you who has experienced the loss of a loved one will receive a sign that all is well. And after all these years I confess I still cry.

Hi, Eva. I'm so glad that you are showered with love and attention from your daughter and the grandchildren. We are so fortunate to have that which many people don't. I wish that I could put a bench where Christin and Mom are buried, but as of now, it is against the rules in their cemetery. You certainly are on the right track to recovery from grief by holding on to the fact that your sister is not sick or suffering anymore. That is certainly a comforting thought for our loved ones who have gone before us. They don't have to deal with any of life's burdens anymore and possess nothing but peace, beauty, and happiness. I know we all still miss them, but we will see them again. Thanks for the condolences regarding my dear mom. She passed away last June 3, but I am still grieving and always welcome kind thoughts. Blessings, Eva. Lu