Monthly Archives: May 2018

Nelda Jean Graham (1933-2018)

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I found out last night that my Aunt Jean, my mom’s oldest sister, passed away (in what was morning in Louisiana). She had been sick for a while and recently went into a hospice. Members of my family tell me she passed away without pain and in her sleep. She, and indeed all my mom’s sisters, is a noble lady and I know that God will reward her accordingly. Her husband, Jack Graham, passed away away in 2015. Now of my grandparent’s children, only three remain.
Her obituary:

Nelda Jean Milton Graham, a resident of Walker, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 07, 2018 at the age of 85. Visitation will be held at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 beginning at 9:00am. Rev. Merlin McCon will conduct funeral services at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Hiram Stafford Cemetery. She is survived by her son, Bobby J. Graham and wife Helena, daughter, Patricia “Patti” Graham Dunn and husband John W. Dunn, III, three granddaughters, Danielle G. Awkerman and husband Chad, Aurielle G. Boeker and husband Barrett, and Stephanie G. Saltz and husband Willie, two great-grandchildren, Graham and Opal Boeker, four sisters, Marie and Wayne Stafford, Billie and Melvin Estess, Madge Cotton, and Marlene Milton, and numerous nieces and nephews. “Good morning and it is a good morning. My day began with my meeting and greeting my Lord to praise Him and thank Him for all His blessings. Then I greeted my husband Jack, my father and mother, Bill and Bertric Milton, brother George Milton, sisters, Carol Hooper, and Linda Williams, nephews Melvin and Mark Estes and lots of relatives and friends. As you know God didn’t promise a life of ease. I’ve had my share of ups and downs but He was always there and always so faithful. So, to those I’ve left behind, I say remember me with love and a smile. Well, maybe a tear or two, but please don’t grieve. Just know that when St. Peter answers your knock at the Pearly Gate I’ll be on the other side waiting to welcome you home. Till then all my love. Nelda Jean.”

I love you, Aunt Jean, and look forward to seeing you again.

Weekend Hanging Out with 妹妹

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So, I was again able to hang out with my 妹妹, Misako, yesterday. My time in Taipei is drawing to a close. While I would categorize it as a failure for my plans, due to my illness here, I have to say that I enjoyed my friends in this city. Masako and I have been friends for around eleven years and we have some important similarities: the most important one is the love of books. On our meeting Saturday, we went to two bookstores and enjoyed ourselves immensely. She is currently employed by a cultural institution associated with the Japanese government. She works quite a bit, so it is a treat when I am able to see here. We are hoping to go out again in two weeks, after she returns from a trip to Tokyo.

We also went to Taiwan University. It is an unusual campus, with a mix of old and new. There was a semi protest going on there with yellow ribbons carrying protest slogans wrapped the central area. I admit to finding this a little unusual, as my entire Asian university experience has been on campuses in China. Protest is not exactly tolerated there if it goes against the government as this one did. It was very interesting. To be honest, I don’t pay much attention to local politics so Masako had to explain it to me. “-

I have no pictures because my phone’s battery has the life of a snowman in a volcano. I am going to have to replace the battery. I tried to have it done here in Taipei, but I can not find anyone to touch a Huawei phone.

Trip to Thailand

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On April 25th, I had to again leave Taiwan because I did not procure a visa. This time I elected to go to Thailand and visit a friend of mine. When I told friends in Taipei about the visit, they were pretty jealous but they don’t understand how much I detest the beach. Nope, I went to play with my friend’s 5 children, ranging from 8 years old down. Unfortunately, my friend Mike (he works for the State Department) had to work most of the weekend, so it was me and the children. Sure, his wife Nora was there too but one can only divert their attention so much. :-)

That Friday, I worked on an article for the Livingston Parish Genealogical & Historical Society, of which I am a member. On Saturday, I went to a cub scout meeting where they made rockets (constructed with bottles and launched with compressed air & water) and I helped two of the children make rockets. It was a cool event. On Sunday, I went to church and had a great lesson on Numbers. I enjoyed going to a Sunday school where I was not the teacher, which allowed me a different perspective. Although out the weekend, I enjoyed home-cooked food and only ate out once with the family and one of Mike’s friends from Virginia. I did enjoy a tall fruity drink as well, since any visit to Thailand would not be complete with out it.

As stated, they have five children, the 4 oldest which are boys. I enjoyed all of them and was especially happy to be able to play with this cutie, Adela:


She looks so much like her momma!