Memorial

Maya and Mommy headed back to New York to attend the memorial for Grandpa (Todd had to stay in the Bay Area for work reasons). It was beautiful weather and a wonderful weekend filled with family, friends, and beautiful tribute to Grandpa's life.

We arrived late June 29th. The next day we finished helping with the preparations for the memorial and then we took a little trip up to Skaneateles Lake for a little relaxation and family reflection about Grandpa.

Marimar, Coco, Lulu and Pop, along with Aunt Susie and Betsy and their families, along with a few other relatives joined Gram to share some special personal memories of Grandpa.

It was wonderful to hear some of the personal stories regarding his impact on the family.

Maya was thrilled about the post gathering boat ride with Coco and her cousin (once removed) Katie.

Gram's nephew Peter, and niece, Sally with Gram and Pop on the day of the memorial.

After a memorable tribute at the Presbyterian church, we went to the cemetery for the internment of Grandpa's ashes.

A lovely reception followed at Cortland Country Club. Here is gram surrounded by some special ladies holding a canned treat from Fiji. Betsy, Susan, Mary, Kearsley, Susie.

Kearsley and Charles, a distant cousin that she enjoyed living with in Australia many years ago.

Maya and Mommy have a nice swim in Skaneateles after the memorial.

Susan and Gram have an evening cocktail.

Peter pulled out a very rare whiskey from the Thomson family that was quickly consumed in honor of Grandpa.

The drinking led to the singing of a favorite Fijian song after the sunset.

Coco and Marimar had to leave early the next morning. Maya enjoyed reading stories with her Aunties before bed.

The next morning, Maya worked hard helping shovel some shale at the cottage with Scott and Katie.

Later she went swimming with Ron...

...and then with Cody.

Lulu with Susie, Pam (Lulu's brother's wife), and Betsy.

Kearsley and Gram.

Pop and Gram.

Gram and Lulu.

The evening started with some fishing with Ron.

Beautiful family.

Dinner at sunset which featured Thai food prepared by Susan and David.

Yum.

Being that the 4th of July was only a couple days away, we pulled out some sparklers.

Followed by more singing...

...and dancing.

The next morning we had to leave bright and early, but we were profoundly moved by the memorial and the gathering so many remarkable people who celebrated Grandpa's life in the way he would have wanted.

Grandpa

Sadly, Kearsley's grandfather died on May 31st and a memorial celebrating his life was held on July 1st. Before sharing some of the events of the memorial, we wanted to share a few photos of Dr. R. Paul Higgins Jr. during his life.

He was a very devoted and caring family man who loved his wife, three children, six granddaughters, and three great-grandchildren. He spent much of his life helping others as doctor. He was just completing his medical training at Johns Hopkins when World War II started. He spent his first several years as a doctor in the South Pacific and Burma during the war. While in Fiji for 2 years, he met and married Elima Kearsley, who is Kearsley's grandmother (and namesake). He and his new wife eventually made it back to the U.S. where he returned to his hometown, Cortland, NY and became the Chief of Surgery at the hospital there for many years. He was a caring and introspective man who would often surprise us with his wit and charm. We knew him best as our grandpa who loved the outdoors and Skaneateles Lake (near Cortland). He loved sailing, skiing, swimming, and just relaxing by the lake. He had a wonderful 95 years and we will miss him.

Gram and Grandpa, very happy out on the open water.

Sitting together with Pop (David), their first child.

The whole family on a cruise (Betsy, Grandpa, Susie, Gram, and Pop).

Gram and Grandpa with Kearsley, Coco, and Marimar.

At Kearsley's high school graduation.

Grandpa walked Kearsley down the aisle because Pop was performing the ceremony. This is such a special memory for Kearsley.

In Mexico for Marimar's wedding.

This guy knows how to have fun.

Meeting Maya about three years ago.

Our last visit with him in Summer 2010.

Here is Grandpa (and Gram) out on the sailboat with Pop last summer while we where there. This was a difficult task with his limited mobility, but he loved getting out on the water.

This how we like to remember him, enjoying the simple wonder of Skaneateles Lake with Gram. Goodbye Grandpa. We love you.

New York: Sad News

On our last day in Chicago, we found out that Kearsley's grandfather (Grandpa) was gravely ill and that his last hours of life were here. Grandpa and Kearsley's grandmother, Gram, live in New York, so Kearsley decided to take Maya and head there instead of coming back to the Bay Area. Sadly, he died on May 31st in the morning as we were waiting for our flight at the Chicago airport. Lulu and Pop (Pop is Grandpa's son) were already there as were Grandpa's other two children. We were so happy to be there to support everyone during this very difficult time. Maya helped lighten people's spirits and was a great sport on this unexpected trip.

Maya with Gram.

On one of the days we were there, we took a quick trip from Cortland to Grandpa's favorite place, nearby Skaneateles Lake, where there is a little family owned cottage under a cliff's edge. The water was high and actually coming up onto the dock, but that didn't deter Maya from getting her feet wet and throwing rocks into the water with Lulu.

Maya cheers up Pop.

Maya and her cousin (once removed), Cody, who also came to support Gram and the family.

Betsy, Kearsley, Pop, Lulu, Cody and Maya sit together with Gram.

We left after a few days, but we knew we would be back soon for a memorial on July 1st. We love Grandpa and we love Gram.