Peter Solomon
It was just last year, when cousin Shelia's twin sister Norma passed away. Cousin Sheila was trying to find my grandmother, Evelyn Solomon and so she started calling around. At the time I was in Nicaragua for several months and the phone rang, it was Shelia. "Peter, where is your grandmother", "I don't know Shelia, she isn't with me I'm out of town". "Well where is your grandmother? My sister died and I have to get your grandmother so I can tell her she can't come. I have a full car and it's a long ride, somewhere way down in Broward county. There isn't any room in my car, and Martha isn't feeling well so she has to stay and take care of her. Peter maybe you should go over and tell her she isn't invited." A little confused, yet more amused I responded, "Shelia, Im in Nicaragua, there isn't anything I can do from here. If you are not getting a response on her home phone, leave a message. Grandma doesn't know how to answer her cellphone, your going to have to wait". Sheila paused for a moment, "Where are you that you can't find your grandmother anyway"? "Central America, a little strip of land that connects North America with South America". Shelia knew I go often to Nicaragua where I run a program with a friend of mine, a native of Nicaragua and go frequently. Suddenly she let out a "What"! "Your in Nicaragua"? "Oh my God, what am I going to get charged for this Call"? Before I had a chance to answer and explain since she called my cell phone, it wouldn't cost her anything, perhaps a local call. I didn't have to worry though, with all the explaining. There next thing I heard was a click. She hung up on me, rather than waste another second, scared her might have made a call the size of the national debt, she hung up on me. I called her back. "Peter, don't call me, talk to me when you get to Florida", "I'm too busy right now, my sister died" Then she hung up on me again. I really was sorry that Cousin Norma had passed, this had been my first word she had gone. Sally, the love of my life doesn't tell me bad news if Im somewhere that I can't do anything about things, why upset me, there would be plenty of time for being upset when I arrived home. Grandma also didn't want to tell me so that I wouldn't worry. It's a fond memory though, and a recent one, that is all cousin Shelia. I loved her very much and shall miss her very much. Not as much as my Grandmother Evelyn though, who has been crying off and on since she went to hospice and now the funeral. I love you Cousin Sheila – Peter Solomon