You never liked having your picture taken, which was silly because you were a very pretty woman. But since I don’t have any later photos of you, we’ll have to make do with this one. In the top left corner, you’re the bathing beauty on the left next to your mother (my Bubbe), with your father (my Zayde) seated and some woman I don’t recognize standing or kneeling behind you. I also thought you’d enjoy seeing some of the old pictures of other family members. Say hello and hug them for me, will you?

You would have been 117 now, if you hadn’t gone and died on Merna’s 58th birthday — this date in 1991. It’s been 33 years, and I just don’t know where the time has gone.

You’ve missed a lot of good stuff, including great-grandchildren, smart phones, and my blog — you always did enjoy my writing. But you’ve also been spared all the woes of the world since then, so maybe you’re the lucky one after all.

Today is Merna’s 91st birthday, you know. Please be sure to take her out to dinner, as I’m not there to do it. And remember — there’s no nagging in Heaven, so let her enjoy her dessert . . . and you pick up the check.

Also, you should order all the cholesterol you want — it can’t hurt you now.

Love,
Brenda
9/18/24