I loved hearing from Bob Betts and from Kotty. Some of the grandkids grew up with Niilo and some lived too far away. He has a special feeling for all of you. Today I listened in as Dane, Heather’s son, told his mom about visiting Grandpa, and the big wave Niilo gave as Dane charged off to Soldotna today for firefighting work. Also today I read two postcards from my son Max, who lives in Somerville, MA but grew up in Fairbanks. They share a love of politics and so much more (same college, same “collect every paper you ever touched…”). And Dad loves Sanni so much, and Kotty’s dad Bob (Sanni’s husband died not so long ago of cancer) held a dear place in Dad’s heart. Kotty, Grandpa is so appreciative of your thoughts.

The hospital staff said Dad had a lot of visitors today. He sure was wiped out when I visited for the second time before supper tonight. Waved off the offer of a second helping of chocolate pudding. The flowers from an eighty-something are beautiful: thanks! It is meaningful to Heather and me that people visit Dad, and I hope it is good for the visitors and for Dad also.

Kotty, I agree with you about the stories. Niilo stories need to be told and shared. He is an amazing person and so many of us know just certain aspects of him. He could tell us about anything he thought we’d be interested in: language and where it came from, history, anthropology, B-12 deficiency….oh lordy, a million different things. Nancy Hidden Dodson once told me how if you opened a file drawer in his mind, no telling all the associated files which would be opened up. We have all learned so much from him and learned that all of life is so interconnected.

But above all to me, he has been loving and calm, so oriented to peace and joint resolution. Thanks to those of you who have communicated how he has enriched your lives. Bob, I look forward to more of your Niilo stories.

–Chena