They buried Gladys today. She was 86 years old. We went to the funeral, and since then I have had many memories zipping in and out of my mind. So I'm recording a few of them.
First, she welcomed me to the Day Care, 37 years ago, even though she had been the big honcho for over 20 years. Here comes this newly minted Child Development person, with all of the new research, etc. Gladys was glad to learn what she could from me, and always made me feel like part of the team.
Eventually, we opened an infant care center, and Gladys became the Head Teacher there.
But other memories are even more important: there are the many trips she and Walt took with us, including 5 to Bermuda. One trip that sticks out is the hiking trip in the White Mountains in NH. Neither Gladys nor Walt had ever hiked before, never mind up a mountain! But that didn't stop them. They were in their late 50's on this trip, but as enthusiastic as a couple youngsters.
When we came DOWN the mountain, Gladys found the footing very difficult, so Dave walked down the mountain backwards, holding Gladys' hands the whole way down!
When we moved my mother-in-law from her home of 80 years in RI to ours in Bemus, Gladys came with us to help with the emptying of a house that had been in Dave's family over a hundred years. Can you imagine the decisions that had to be made?! Glady s pitched in, cleaning and packing, and most of all, keeping Ma from falling apart.
During the years Ma lived with us, Gladys took her out every week, without fail, They went to the hair salon, the grocery store, and anywhere else Ma wanted to go. Gladys stayed a loyal friend to Ma until Ma died.
The last few years, Gladys was in a nursing home. I had lost touch with her, what with one thing or another, but found her in the home. I visited with her once a month, bringing her Holy Communion. She was in bad physical shape, but still sparkled with enjoyment as we talked about the "old days".
It is with fond memories, sadness for what I've lost, but gratitude that her pain is over, that I say goodbye to this dear friend. The tributes to her were many at the funeral, and I felt she had a good send off. She is now with her dearest Walt, who died several years ago.
Good bye, dear friend.
