My grandmother died less than a year ago, at the age of 89. I miss her.

During the holocaust she fled to Siberia where she met my grandfather. Their first child died of starvation in 1942. My mother was born in 1946 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp (by then a refugee camp). As my mother had me at a relatively early age and then went to university (after my father died), I grew up in my grandparents' home until the age of 5. Nough said.

My grandmother's favourite saying was, while pointing to the palm of her hand: "It'll happen when hair grows here".

I'm in.

Your warmth shines through, Sachys, and it certainly gave me pause for reflection.

Paintings of J. M. W. Turner.

Some survivalism insights.

* * * * * CLOSED! * * * * *

Winner to be announced shortly!
(just noticed I put wed 25th in the OP by mistake!).

congrats to the winner and once again super thanks to Sachys and the hidden members :p
side thought: ...am i the only one who is reminded of our loss every time i see another one of these?

A sad tale mate.

On the other hand, you have won this edition of the Absent Friends giveaway!

Please PM me your choice of game asap and I'll arrange for your giftcode with The SIGIL.

Many thanks to all those of you who took a little time to relate your own experiences - I don't know about yourselves, but for me it has been good to read and contemplate.

Thanks also to DeMignon for providing the bumps, and wpegg for keeping an eye out,

Congrats, LinustheBold, and thanks again, The Sigil & Sachys!

Nope... :(

Congratulations, LinustheBold!
The Sigil and Sachys be thanked once more.

Thank you, Sachys and Sigil, for the game and the chance to read and share.

Congrats LinustheBold and thanks Sachys for hosting the weekly giveaway, even when spare time is scarce. Not to forget, thanks to The Sigil for the continuous generosity!

Congrats LinustheBold and thanks again Sachys and The SIGIL.