Letters to Martha

Stanford University School of Nursing

Gram,

How has it already been 6 years since you left us? I think about you so often. I know I was blessed to have 22 years to share with you, but it still didn't seem like long enough. There are many times I wish I could pick up the phone to share something with you. Every time I order nachos, I think how fun it would be to bring you some for us to share. And when I see red geraniums, I think of how beautiful your flowers always were. I love how random little things remind me of you, kind of like a surprise visit.

There are still so many things I'd like to talk to you about. I think you still had a lot to teach me. I always wanted to sit down and interview you. To hear about your life and everything you went through in those 97 years. I wish I would have taken the time to do that, it would have been such a treasure to have now. Instead I'll remember all of the things you did teach me.

Now that I am living in San Francisco, I like to think about you walking around the city all those years ago. I imagine it was quite different in some ways, but the same in others. I got a pair of nice leather gloves for Christmas, Mom said you would have loved that, because every lady should have a pair when they go to the city. I also have your old chair in my apartment, it makes me so happy every time I look at it. Don't worry, I sit in it properly now, most of the time anyway. The other night, I took out your old milk glass, I think I am going to put some shelves in the kitchen where I can display them. I like having these little reminders of you around the house.

Today they elected the new Pope. When I heard there was white smoke, I thought of you immediately. We watched the news in our office, and I know you would have had the TV on, watching every minute. Cardinal Jorge Mario Begoglio of Argentina was elected, he has chosen the name Pope Francis I.

It's an exciting time for our family, Christine is due to have her baby any minute now. We've been calling the baby "Tuff" since we don't know yet if it's a boy or girl, I'm not sure if you would have liked that since I know how you felt about nicknames. But you would love the names they have chosen, for once the baby arrives. I know you'd feel so proud to see a new generation added to your family. You were definitely the matriarch, and your legacy continues.

I miss you and love you.

Theresa

Gram and her twin sister, Mary in 1913 (or 1914?)

Martha Crane O'Brien Sehorn

xoxo,

Theresa