My Ohio Trip

Well, I have been in Ohio for exactly 11 days. I have been having a wonderful time. I arrived at my friend Carol's on Monday morning, the 31st. It was so good being with her! I got see two of her daughter's, Chris and Nicky (Twinkle Toes) whom I have already met. I also got to meet Cathy, a daughter I had never met, and Cathy's six children. They are all so cute. Her other daughter, Kelly, lives in Akron so I didn't get to me her. We went to the Hancock County Fair on Wednesday. We went with Carol's sister, Shirley, and their Aunt Mary. We had a good day but unfortunately, it ended on a sad note. Carol's cousin, Judy, whom Carol is extremely close, called and was in the hospital. She had just found out that she had a malignent tumor in the colon. She was scheduled for surgery the next morning. After the surgery, Carol got a call from Judy's husband saying that Judy had come through the surgery just fine and that she would not go to intensive care, after all. However, on Friday, Judy took a turn for the worse. She is now in ICU and they are trying to keep her comfortable. They have said there is nothing more they can do for her. Her kidneys are shutting down. Please say a prayer for Judy, her family, and for my dear friend, Carol.
I left on Thursday morning to come over to my sister's. I got here that afternoon and we just settled down a little and visited. We've run around a great deal and have had a good time. The best time ever, though, was yesterday! On Saturday, I called a cousin in Fostoria, Ohio to see if we could get together. It's been over 40 years since I have seen them. She gave me some other phone numbers and yesterday, ten of my cousins, my sister and I, all met in Fostoria for lunch! What a wonderful time we had!!!!!! Jean (King) Shaw is the first one I called. Jean and her husband, Harry, and their daughter, Brenda, Jean's sister, Marlene (King) ; Dale Peskey and his wife Lori, Dale's sister Manya Faye; Carolyn (Gangwer) Hopkinson; Donny Lee Bryant were all there. My sweet cousin Alice Lou was also there. I have a special place in my heart for Alice Lou because she is the one who was able to answer questions about my mother's mother. As most of you know, I have been searching for years for my grandmother. Alice Lou, over the past year, sent me pictures of, and a pin that belonged to, my grandmother. When we met Wednesday, she gave me a vase that had belonged to my grandmother. What a treasure this is for me!!!! After lunch, Marlene, Carolyn, Alice Lou, my sister, Phyllis, and I all went to the cemetary where my grandmother is buried. What a beautiful day it was. Such a feeling of finally having found where this dear lady was. Her life must have been so difficult. It is a welcome closure after years of searching documents and trying to get information about her.
There was a family gathering of my sister's children and grandchildren last Saturday. What fun to see them all. My niece and her husband, Jody and Tom, were celebtrating their 30th wedding anniversary!
My sister and brother-in-law Dan and I have been doing some shopping. It's been fun and relaxing but I am very tired.
I look forward to coming home and getting back into the routine of things. I miss my family so very much.