On Sunday November 23, 2008 Heaven got another Angel:

Katherine "Katie" Kaselau

Born February 13, 1906, she lived a long and fulfilling life. She survived an abusive husband, raised her kids right, and my sister had the fortune of marrying her wonderful son Robert.

The first time I remember meeting Katherine was in Colorado Springs for my niece's graduation from the Air Force Academy. Katherine, my niece, Tina, and myself were sharing a hotel room the night before the ceremony. Katherine in one bed, Tina and I in the other (Tina and I are more like cousins since she's 1-1/2 years younger than me). Katherine was either complaining about the temperature, or she was snoring and keeping us awake. Katherine, in typical fashion, laughed at us and said we were the ones making all the noise. We complained so much to her, that she went next door and slept with her son and daughter in law (Tina's mom) and that night has become a conversation piece. Everyone laughs about it, but it was exactly the approach Katherine took to everything.

When I would go to California to visit my sister, we ALWAYS had to go see Katherine. One of the first things she'd ask me was "How's Mayor Daley?" She was referring to the first Mayor Daley, not the son, the current Mayor Daley. I'd have to tell her he's not the mayor anymore, she'd say "good" and then I'd tell her his son is the Mayor, and she'd gasp like she was shocked and dismayed. I think I had a permanent smile on my face when I was around her.

She saw the humor in everything. Years later, as her memory was failing her, and she didn't remember people or things as well, her son made her a set of "flash cards." There were regular questions she'd ask every time he'd go visit her. Such as...Where's my husband? The answer is "he's dead." She'd reply with oh that's nice. LOL Another was...Where's my money? The answer...in the bank. Question: What about my house? Answer: We sold it.

Nothing earth shattering, just regular things about her life that she couldn't remember. So after answering these questions every time he came over, the same questions time after time after time, he made the flashcards. One side had the question, the other had the answer. When she'd ask him a question, he'd pull out the card, tell her to read it, she'd read the question, flip it over and read the answer herself. I think it was quite ingenious.

She never minded the senility. Even though she was always apologizing about asking questions with answers she knew she should know, I never gave a second thought to answering her. I hope I have her outlook on life when I'm 102. On second thought, I don't think I want to live that long!

R.I.P. You will be missed.