Visiting the Greens

"In England there are sixty religions, and only one sauce."
- Francesco Caracciolo

We stopped by the funeral home in Diss yesterday to see Merv's cousin Richard. Richard is a Green, Merv's family on his mother's side. We were advised by a very nice man at the funeral home that Richard was out at a funeral and would not return until a bit later in the day. He asked if we would like a cup of tea. Declining with our thanks, we left a message that we would be back and headed to a cafe for coffee and a scone. While in Diss, Merv and Myron ran into their scout leader. Even at 86, he recognized his boys.

A little later we returned to the funeral home to be greeted by Richard and his wife Julie, who he called when he learned we were coming. We spent about a half hour visiting before he had to go off to arrange another funeral. Before going, however, he called his mother, Gladys to tell her we were there and would like to visit with her later in the day. After spending a delightful afternoon at a railway museum we went to see Auntie Gladys. Merv's cousin Margaret was there as was his cousin Graham's wife Elaine. We had visited Graham at the bike shop the day before and when the word went out that we would be going to see Auntie Gladys, I would guess that Elaine didn't want to be left out as all the other wives had met us.

Auntie Gladys was married to Merv's Uncle Eddie, the brother of Merv's mom Doreen. Gladys is eighty-six and looks seventy-six. She barely reaches my shoulder. Gladys lives in the apartments behind the Salvation Army. This is the Salvationist part of the family and Auntie Gladys is the leader of the band. Even at her advanced years, there is no grass growing under her feet. She can tell you the birthdates of all Merv's relatives. She has strong opinions on everyone and everything. She knits for the Romanian orphans, does needlpoint tapestries and makes a good cup of tea. Remarkable. While we were there, she thought it would be nice to call Merv's Auntie Miriam, his mother's twin sister, who lives in West Wycombe and who Merv has not spoken to in more than 30 years. Merv and Auntie Miriam had a great chat. At eighty-three there isn't any grass growing under her feet either.

After an hours visit we returned to Myron and Sue's, parked the car, met up with Warren and Lynsey and walked down to the pub for our final Diss dinner. This morning we are chatting over a cup of tea. Sue will be leaving for work in a few minutes. In about an hour we will leave for Cambridge.

The time is flying by. Many hellos and many goodbyes. Sue and I have agreed we won't be saying goodbye. See you later will suffice.