Monday, Sept. 1, was still a melancholy day for me. I seemed to be in the grieving mood all morning.

Brandon and Jenn picked up Samson and Nichole in Schoharie and drove to Leonard Hill Water Tower in Broome County. They enjoyed the beautiful view and the invigorating hike.

Teri and Mark Barton (my brother Len’s daughter) from Starkville came to visit Danielle, Zoey, Kathy, Gary, and then Brandon, Jenn, Samson, Nichole, Marcia and Kyra.

It was Labor Day, the end of summer, and a great time to get together.

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, I wrote my news and then went to BJ’s to buy dog food. My sister, Pat Sykala, told me they have candles with wood wicks that make a crackling sound when burned and sound like wood burning in a fireplace. She bought some at Kohl’s. I went to Kohl’s and bought a candle for Danielle as I know she’s grieving.

Miles, my grandson, and his wife, Melissa Pangburn, stopped in for a much-appreciated visit. Later I took the candle to Danielle and rocked Zoey to sleep. That was a very relaxing moment for me.

Zoey will touch me on the neck and arm and it seems to soothe her. She cuddles and I feel the love.

Wednesday, Sept. 3, was a memorable day for me. My sister, Pat Sykala, came at 8:30 a.m. to have breakfast with Marcia and me. Then I went school clothes shopping with Marcia, Kyra and Kyra’s friend, Ella David. I bought Kyra a pair of sneakers and a pair of jeans. It is tradition that I buy school clothes.

Then in the evening I went with Brandon for his dinner visit with Samson and Nichole. I bought Samson a video game and Nichole a baby blanket for her doll and a monkey with a strap to use when walking a baby (doll). Those were my start of school presents for them.

Nichole looked adorable as she went to her first day at school in third grade. She goes to Radez in Richmondville.

Samson started seventh grade at Golding School in Cobleskill and he was excited to be on the soccer team.

Brandon took pictures to show the rest of the family.

On Thursday, Sept. 4, my granddaughter, Kyra Swam, went back to school and is in eighth grade. Marcia always takes the first day of school off and drives her to school. They stopped at my house and I took pictures.

Jenn Smith’s son, Iain Bullis, started school and is in third grade. His teacher is Katlynn Kranker and she is a family friend and a best friend of my grandson, Miles Pangburn and his wife Melissa.

To celebrate the first day of school, Jenn Smith made tacos for dinner (Iain’s favorite) and white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies for dessert. She invited Marcia, Kyra, Miles, Melissa and me and we had a marvelous evening.

Friday, Sept. 5, was my Zoey day. What an enjoyable day. I owe Danielle for the privilege. It was a hot and humid day. Zoey and I stayed inside until 4:30 p.m. when it started to cool off. She loves my dogs and says “dog.”

Zoey likes to play with Nichole’s doll, opening and shutting its eyes and now she says “eye”. I sing to her and she dances. She especially likes to dance to You Are My Sunshine.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, I had the pleasure of spending the day with my granddaughter, Kassi Neal. We went to Angela’s Bridal in Albany and she tried on six wedding dresses. She can’t make a final decision until her mom, Kathy Carnevale, can get the time to go with her.

Kathy has been working weekends as this is the busy time of year in her line of work.

Later Kassi and I enjoyed dinner at Grandma’s Restaurant and enjoyed their pot roast, which is a favorite of Kassi.

On the way back home, we stopped to see her parents, my daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Gary Carnevale.

Sunday, Sept. 7, was cooler, crisper, and gorgeous for a beautiful church service at the Overlook in Thacher Park.

At 11 a.m., I remembered that one year ago we had the funeral service for my beloved son, Danny. Later, Brandon, Nichole, and Samson piled wood for me. One year ago Danny had also been piling wood for me.

Brandon’s garden came back from the freezing hail that hit it and I prepared zucchini lasagna and zucchini fritters for dinner. I rode with Brandon to take Samson and Nichole back to their mother and I could reminisce about the enjoyable weekend.

A Heart for Haiti

Building education one brick at a time. There will be a benefit concert for a school building project at St. Andre’s Episcopal Church in Flande, Haiti, on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in the sanctuary of St. Stephan’s Episcopal Church, 16 Elsmere Ave. in Delmar.

The concert will feature Wally Jones with violins, vocals, trumpet, saxophone, guitar, accordions, drums, piano, organ, bagpipes, and a few friends from near and far to help. A free will offering will be taken. Please be generous, the need is great.

A reception will follow in the church hall. To learn more, contact St. Stephen’s Church office at 439-3265.