When I think of grandma, I remember her philosophy on vacation: relax and do whatever you want. Whenever we were at the cottage or at her house in Ottawa, that's exactly the rule we would follow. I remember swimming with her in the lake, our feet touching the moss--she said it was like a luxurious rug underwater. I remember doing crossword puzzles with her in bed. I remember how we'd get blueberry pie at Carolla's and eat it while we played Boggle. (Grandma was the person who always beat me at Boggle until the day I learned her tricks.) All of my memories with grandma are happy memories, filled with food and comfort and good times. I miss her.

My mother, Christine Stone, was very fond of Martin, probably because she recognized in Martin some traits of my father. For example, prioritizing telling a good story over adhering to the facts. 

Just to set the record straight:

(1) Before Victoria was born we ordered a very fancy baby bassinette which had not arrived when Victoria came, two weeks early. My father came to the rescue: he took one of our dresser drawers out of the chest of drawers, set it up on a chest next to our bed, and lined it with a baby quilt and sheets.  Victoria loved this makeshift bed. When the real bed finally came, she protested strenuously when we tried to transition her, so we ended up using this little drawer-bed for the rest of our stay in Tokyo. By the way, my father was very good at this kind of improvisation and never understood when people were scandalized about items being used in unconventional ways. 

(2) On the day of the golf outing in question, Victoria was two weeks, not two months, old. She had just come home from the hospital and had yet to sleep for more than one hour at a stretch. We were all sleep deprived and exhausted. We needed Vincent to stay at home! My mother decided to play the heavy.

Whenever I think of Mrs. Christine Stone I think of my first golf game ever. 

I moved to Tokyo in December 1987 and in February next year little Victoria popped out delivered by Dr Sakamoto where she lived in the bottom drawer in the living room but that's another story. 

That same spring Christine and Jim visited Mary, Vincent and Victoria.  Coincidentally Vincent had planned an all-boys golf outing with his colleague Mr. Ushijima and I was invited to join.  I accepted this invitation somewhat warily since I had never touched a golf club before but took some comfort in the fact that Vincent would be there since I didn't speak much Japanese then and barely knew Mr. Ushijima.  We agreed to meet on the subway platform in Akebonobashi station at 6:30 a.m. or so.  At 6:25 a.m. Vincent appeared wearing slippers as I recall.  He quickly explained before the 6:30 a.m. train arrived that he was unable to join due to stern instructions laid down by his mother-in-law.  She held the view that he could not play golf and leave behind his wife and by then 2 month old daughter.  Mr. Ushijima was astonished that there was any discussion in the matter since a man's place was on the golf course.  In choosing between Mr. Ushijima and his mother-in-law, I believe Vincent made the correct decision in the long-term although in the short term it caused me some distress and anxiety. 

Mr. Ushijima and I proceded to go to the golf course which was about 2.5 hours away.  It was a very long train ride but the view of Mt. Fuji from the golf course was spectacular.  I played terribly but my consolation was that I somehow did manage better than Mr. Ushijima who had been diligently practising at the driving range for weeks before.  

In spite of this early trauma (or maybe because of it), I continue to play golf and thank Christine for teaching me indirectly about the meaning of playing with grace under pressure. 

Dear Mary, Bob, Kathleen and Tom

I was so sorry to hear of Chris passing. I had had a telephone chat with her just recently and talked about going out to lunch but I was unable to get to see her as I too am hors de combat. Chris, Anne Wilson and I had a great friendship starting with bridge lessons that we all took together and from then on playing every wednesday for many years. The fact that we had all been "wives of" in External Affairs for many years created a bond that was special. We had all married during or just after WWII and then went on to travel the world. We all agreed that our lives had been interesting and fulfilling and had no regrets.

My sincere sympathy to you all

Audrey
 

Vincent, Mary, Victoria,
We are so sorry to hear of Mrs. Stone's passing.  What an especially difficult time for you, on the heels of Dad's passing.  Please accept our very deepest condolences. Fondly,  Akira, Marcia, Kenzan, Kaison

To all Members of Chris and Jim Stone's Family:

Dear Loved Ones -
    "When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
    We extend our most heartfelt condolences in the passing of your beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.  Indeed she was GREAT! We will all remember Chris as a gentle, kind, loving and gracious lady who was full of grace and dignity.  She was, as was her husband Jim, full of knowledge and strength and able to come through many of life's trials. All of us who are connected to your parents thank God for the privilege.
    Your loss is deep, as is ours, but each of you can sleep soundly knowing you were always caring, helpful, and devoted to your Mother and Father.  Chris had so much courage through her failing health -- we are sorry she could not recover to have a few more years of joy with her loved ones so well-raised.  She left some of that courage with all of you - so you can carry on while she re-unites with your Father and family members who have departed.
    Your dear Mother is safe in the Lord's embrace, who is the greatest of all caregivers.  No more pain or suffering or worries.  Please know our hearts and love reach out to each one of you.  You will cherish the many wonderful memories and we will do the same.  Peaceful nights to the dearest of all Christines!

May you all keep well with a healthy, happy long future.   This comes with our warmest embraces, our love and deepest sympathy at this time of parting and sorrow.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Anne and Family 

I hesitated before listing my mother's name as "Ethel Christine" her legal name. She hated the name "Ethel" and changed it as soon as she left home at age 18. But of course her parents continued to call her Ethel, and every once in a while she would be introduced as "Ethel Berry" to which she would respond, "My name is Christine Stone!"

When Vincent saw that I had entered her name as Ethel Christine, he said, "She is up in heaven fuming right now. My name is Christine!"