Day trip to: Leshten, Gorno Dryanovo, and Kovatchevitsa in Southern Bulgaria..not far from the Greek border.

Greetings from Atlanta

Unfortunately I wish I was not in Atlanta, at least under the current circumstances. On February 17th my beautiful grandmother Barbara Anne Martin passed away at the young age of 71. It came as a shock to all of my family. My grandmother has had health complications since I can remember but it had become a norm for me growing up. With many surgeries throughout her later years the one on the 17th was not expected to be complicated. She’d been having problems with her heart and lately her heart was always beating fast when she did anything. My grandmother once told my father she just wanted to make her 50th wedding anniversary in July. She came sooo close, but did not make it. I can only hope to one day become such a wonderful, giving, compassionate person as my grandmother and to have such a loving, long lasting marriage as my grandparents. I have only positive memories of her and the time we spent together. I inherited my Totten humor from her, her short stubby toes and fingers and wanderlust for travel. I only wish I’d inherited her beautiful inspiring singing voice. I think one of her happiest moments in life (besides getting to play with her grandchildren) was getting the chance to sing in Carnegie Hall.




With the time difference, and not being online I found out on the 18th (Friday) she’d passed away. The soonest flight I could make was for the 20th (Sunday) My roommate from AUBG was kind enough to let me stay with her and her family in Sofia Saturday night and then drop me off at the airport on Sunday for my 9am flight to Paris, and the on to Atlanta. When I arrived in Atlanta my cousin picked me up at the airport and when I arrived at the funeral home it was 8:50pm just enough time, a whole 10 minuets to spare for the viewing of my grandmother. The shock and surprise on my grandfather’s face and my entire extended family that I had made it was well worth the long flight. My grandfather told me I made it complete since now all the grandkids were here. My little sister cried tears of happiness to see me, and I think over the course of the last 2 weeks I’ve shed more tears then I ever have. (My dad and I had not told anyone, not even my sister and brother so it would be a surprise) Monday and Tuesday were funeral related events. Even though it was a heart wrenching time for us all, when my family gets together laughter and love fill the air. Memoires of my grandmother were shared. I’m blessed with such an amazing family. I’ve now been gone from Bulgaria for 2 weeks and tomorrow I have a 3:20 flight to Paris-Vienna-Sofia. I just hope I’ll make all the connections because it’s going to be a close one. I get in at 12:40 and have class at 4..!



I love you grandma with all my heart and you will be sorely missed.