Today we all got together to celibrate the long and fun life of my aunt Eleane (Sis) Office. My moms only sibling. Sis lived 91 good long years and died just 6 days short of her anniversary with my uncle  Philbwho is 92 ? 93 ? .. and totally active and whit it He was a great host for the day.

We all gathered at a beutiful park near Sis and Phils house to share stories o Sis .. and drink a Mojito toast.. her favorite drink..   It was a beautiful day and the mood was light and fun.. just like Sis would have liked it..

My cousin Peter started things off with some remembrances of his mom, Then cam Uncle Phil and a long array fo family friends. It was really nice to hear them giving their view of Sis.. the was kind, generous, fun loving.. very (very, very) proper.. and very  social

We heard stories about how well she remembered everyones birthdays, how Ashe’d never allow a ketchup bottle to be placed on a dining table (ketchup belonged in a ramekin). How she called  many of her friends every day..

I was struck by all the love for SIS from lifelong friends.. And Love for each other. Many whom had been married for 60+ years.   It was heartwarming and inspiring !

We all then headed to the Dayton country club which was across from Sis and Phils old house. It was a fun informal dinner of close friends and family

There was an amazing sunset from the table.. I suspect curtesy of SIS 🙂

Near the end Phil got up and gave such a nice thank your on behalf of Sis for everyone who was there.. ..

The day was just like SIs would have wanted it..

Good friends, kids running around and No ketchup bottles in sight

nite all, nite sam

-me

Diane got home from Portland last night about midnight. SHe’d been gone a month. helping Gabe paint his house. I’d been out with them about 3 of those weeks but had come back for a few days in the middle. It was nice to have Diane back in VT.    I was traveling out th3e next day (today) to Dayton Ohio for my Aunt Sis’s memorial service.. She’d died several months ago during Covid.. so the family chose this weekend for an informal remembrance gathering

Diane and I  were about to go to sleep at 12:30 when I got a txt that my flight out to Dayton the next day (today) was canceled.. so I quickly had to reschedule to fly out at 9AM.. rather than my original 4PM..

It took me all day to fly to CInncinatti, due to delays. The Enterprise car rental people didn’t have enough cars to honor the reservation I’d made on Expedia (not going to do that again). They had one car left, a pickup truck, 3 time more expensive .. but my aunt Sis’s memorial was happening the next day.. so I took it. I drove the 70 miles to Dayton and got to the night before gathering just before folks were leaving.
We all then went back to my uncle Phil’s house for catching up and remembering Sis..

It was very nice to see everyone. 

Sisi was such a big part of our lives.. it was good to be there together to remember her

note all, nite sam

-me

I had one day back in Vermont before heading to Ohio for my aunts memorial. It happened to be the day that friends Duane (Duane) , Aaron (rebar) and Me (Zatar) were giving a Beta Bytes of knowledge talk on Burning man. The three of us worked togherer to tell a story about he origins, logistics and meaning of burning man. Duane talked about the background. I talked about camp life, culture and little about tech. Aaron finished up wby talking aabout the burning of the man.. and the temple burn He  told a very moving story about fvisiting the Temple and finally being able to say good bye to a good friend of his from ho served with him in Afghanastan. He’d watched his friend unravel and finally commit suicide. He hadn’t found a way to say good bye to his friend… He wrote his friend a long letter and committed it to the burn. and felt the closure he was looking for.. it was a deeply moving story.. and you could tell the audience appreciated it.

I think we gave folks a good overview of burning man and why we go. I think we may have found some like minded folks who would want to go out there with us sometime

-jc

I I am back in Vermont and have several Blog post still to do about my last few days in Portland… But I didn’t want to miss this important one. Today is my dad, Hugh Cohn’s, yahrzeit.… That’s the day you bark I loved one’s death day and my tradition.… I woke up thinking about my dad… What a great and fun and wonderful human person. I miss him every day… There are many days I still talk to him.

he was such a great role model and how to treat people pathetic he was balanced, and kind… Two things that I aspire to learn from him.

I woke today and printed a picture of him . It was a very proud moment for him… The day he got his masters degree in public health. I was so proud of him… More importantly he was so proud of himself. He genuinely loved helping other people… That’s why he chose public health. Iimprovised a yahrzeit candle… I know many traditions have the same custom of lighting a candle on the day of someone’s death.… It was nice doing the small ritual with him And for him.

Papa… I love you ! You are so much a part of me and the rest of your family



note all, nite sam

-me