Funeral Details

Dear All:

I have been, and shall remain, Sharon’s cousin my entire life. I always adored her, as young girls admire older girls. She was, to me, an example of sweetness and beauty.

Over the decades came the storybook wedding followed by the birth of three new cousins, the not-so-storybook divorce and , in time, Jim Salyers, the love of h er life. Then, Tennessee, and, for me, no Sharon sighting for too many years. Fortunately for me, occasional encounters with Maureen, Jessica and Dean.

ASharon memory: Uncle Dave, Aunt Davida and Sharon came to visit our family one January morning. At that time my family lived downstairs of our grandmother. I was really sick that day, disappointed that I wouldn’t see my lovely cousin. Against all warnings, Sharon came downstairs to cheer me up, bringing my birthday gift: a child-sized ukulele (which I still have) and a how-to play it book. That ultimately led to a lifetime of playing the guitar, all thanks to Sharon.

I won’t be coming to her funeral today, having had a challenging senior morning. Nothing serious, just annoying octogenarian stuff. I would like this to be my contribution to the memory of my lovely cousin Sharon.

Judith Bloom Fradin