You know that our Gran died after a long illness;  a death in the family is always a sad affair, but of course as you know Gran has been like a mother to Gill and me.

It’s only now after several months have passed that I can actually talk about it.  You feel sort of numb for a while and busy with sorting out the arrangements for the funeral – and then when it’s all over you start to experience a real sense of loss.
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However, as far as I could tell, she seemed to be coping very well. Even when it came to clearing out the old home  - not an easy task when Gran’s personal possessions were involved.

We seemed to be coping well,  being extremely organised – we even managed a few laughs and not a few tears when a number of old memories were revoked.  One odd thing, Gill seemed particularly taken with an old box we found in the attic – quite an interesting shape and design (whether of any value I was unable to tell) but she insisted on taking it away with her so, of course, I said she could (although afterwards I did wonder about it.  Could it contain any old family secrets?  Gill always was the romantic type whereas I have always been the practical one.
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I trust you are keeping well.  Do write back and tell me about your holiday in Provence – I had a feeling our family had some connection with that area.