Day 18    Ukiah, CA

Aunt Tish and Uncle Dave

 They are as sweet as the smiles on their faces.

She is the last surviving sibling of 6.

Orphaned when Mom was 13 and Tish was 8, they were raised by their older brother Dan, (a walking encyclopedia; should have been on Jeopardy.)

Married for 63 years, they have never had a fight,

not even a cross word.  This could be documented.

Their home is filled with photos from the Garden Tomb, Jerusalem,

Believed to be the burial site of Jesus and where the stone was rolled away.

Dard was Chaplain of the Garden Tomb for 5 years.

His oldest daughter, Sarah, was born while they were in Israel.

                               The Garden Tomb is a green oasis, 

                           hidden behind walls in a dusty, diverse city; 

                                  a serene island in a raging sea.

It's interesting that my flash is in the entrance to the tomb, especially when you hear the story I have to tell about Aunt Tish's experience there.

She is the most devout Christian alive, I believe.

A dream trip to The Holy Land was planned.  Before they left, a tumor was discovered on her breast.  She was advised to cancel her trip, but refused.

When she entered the tomb, by herself, she said she was filled with light,

 like nothing she had ever experienced before. Indescribable. Profound.

When she returned home, there was no trace of the tumor.

This IS actually documented.