The sign

In honour of my Grandmother, Rahda Luks who passed away a few days ago. She was definitely a quirky character; a strong woman who was true to her own opinion regardless of what that meant to others. She supported my decision to keep my own surname and loved that Adelaide had 'Luks' as well. In her last letter to me, she advised that I don't change us all to 'Newluks,' but remain a family of two Luks' and one Newnham. She wrote:
"Don't feel left out, Shea, you'll still be close to our hearts."

She became very close to my heart during the last few years as we began more frequently corresponding, Rahda via her old typewriter that she continued to use despite ribbon for it being so scarce. She would use the old ribbon until they were mere threads, the type becoming so light it was hard to read. Yet a new ribbon, found in some obscure shop by my uncle, would type dark then faint so that she was as exasperated with that as the old one. On receiving a new letter in the mail, Shea and I would save it until we had time to sit together and enjoy the amusement. I would read out loud Rahda's response to all we had been up to (always horror at how cold it was here) and tale's of her own local saga's (health issues, fights with the local council, fights with insurance companies). If she thought to add something to the envelope before posting, after she had sealed her letter inside, she would write in mirror image her message, so as no-one could read it. I knew to hold it up to the mirror to decipher it!

I'll miss her presence in my life.