In Remembrance

Pearl was one of my favorite people since I was a young child. I was fortunate to stay in her home with her family many times over the years. The time that I most reflect on is the summer after I completed first grade. We stayed up at the cabin. We went fishing on Lake Vermilion. She never treated me like a visitor. She treated me like family. I did chores along with Joel, Laural and Jane. Everyone had to do their part, including the summer guest. Pearl was straight forward about who she was. There was not one thing fake about her. I think that is a reflection of her Finnish heritage. My next favorite memories are the times she, Laural and Jane came to New York City. I got to walk them around town and spent an entire day in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Both times they came, we visited the Met. That was a precious time for me. The last time that I spoke to Pearl was a few years ago. I called her to see how she was doing. I knew within the first few sentences that she had developed a memory issue. But as usual, she was straight forward and honest about her situation. She said, “You have to help me out”. So I walked her back to who my father was and his relation to Don. She seemed to understand. Pearl lived a blessed life. She married the love of her life. She had a beautiful family. She got a lot of good fishing in over the years. She loved her work. Pearl was strong in her faith. That never wavered. So now she is with God. God answered her prayers. Rest in peace, Pearl, until we meet again.