I am now 77 years old.
I have outlived my parents, all but one of my siblings and many of my friends. I spend much of my time at funerals as I do in the Lab.
Last year, I buried my beloved Ali. We spend more than 50 of our years together and have over 20 grandchildren. Even now, many of our children still have families that are growing.

He would be proud, as would the rest of the family.
Risa and Asher’s grandson, Asher at 9 years old is now our new Chief. His parents His mother Akua is concern about so much weight being put on such young shoulders, but Fatu reminds his wife of our history. Chief Strong was just a year older than Asher and he was an excellent Chief.
So will be Asher.
Flame and Lake’s son Dodi married Tahiti, daughter of Yield and May. Flame’s son by Zaina Dino is now married to my granddaughter Sage. Soon they will have babies of their own.
One day, last year, a handsome young man from West Islao had heard tales of a Secret City and after weeks at sea, found himself in our lovely City. His name was Peku-Ahem. An ancestor of Ahi, our first Chief Ahi, Peku won the heart of my eldest granddaughter India.
Now SunRise and Indian wait to welcome their first grandchildren.
And I will be a great-grandmother. I wish Ali was here to share in our joy.
It is my granddaughters that show the most interest in the Lab. And I know I can trust it in their hands.

I was watching my eldest son with his girls one day. The first thing I noticed that shocked me was his hair was now snow white! My, did he look my Papa, who he was named after.
He and his beautiful wife Indian, had four beautiful daughters; India who is now married and soon to be mum to twins. 13 year Asia, 10 year old China and 9 year old Africa.
Soon, Asia will be trying her hands with potions.
India was working in the Lab when she met Peku. He was already an adept Builder when he arrived, but also rather weak from his travels. She prepared her first potion; health restoration and as she nursed Peku back to health, they fell in love. I remember in her wedding day how often India would ask to hear the story of how her great-aunt Deanna met her husband.
And now here India stood with the man of her dreams.
Asia, India’s 13 year sister also has an interest in healing. The healing arts and the potions go hand in hand, I told her one day.
I remember the story of my own Mama. Risa was just born and Mama began to have very bad stomach cramps. So bad when looking at the ancient scrolls, it was found a treatment, but it was a dangerous one. The elders decided to take the risk and Mama fully recovered and became one of our tribes best Doctors. It told both the Doctors and the Alchemist working together to heal Mama. And since then, both have grown in their respect for one another.
That is why at age 78, I am studying to be a Doctor.
After the birth of twin her girls Lily and Lotus, India was back in the Lab.
Rosa is now teaching more. It is hard to believe that she is now 65 years old. It was just yesterday I was dancing at her parents wedding, that Rosa was gathering herbs for me.
Now, she is teaching in the very Lab she studied.
Her sister Asia is now studying as an adept doctor, but still likes to visit the Lab.
Today was a serious lesion.
There are Dangerous potions. Ones that could cause great harm, even death. We teach these potions as warnings and are never to be used.
The Rose Petals bring joy, happiness and even love.
The Lotus and Golden Berry are spiritual flowers and brings enlighten to the mind as soul.
The TigerLily brings balance to any combination.
But the Black Orchard is a dangerous flower and must at all time be handle carefully. It has been used in potions that heal, but often than not, it is harmful.
The most dangerous is three part Black Orchard. This potion takes away health and if not careful, can kill. It must be followed by one part Lotus, two parts Cactus or one part Lotus, one part Golden Berry and one part Cactus to restore the user’s health quickly.
One part Black Orchard, two part Cactus is awful, but causes no harm. Several burn include one part Rose, one part Golden Berry and one part Orchard.
“That’s nasty Grannie!” I remember little Sunray once saying when trying a potion. Two parts TigerLily and one part Cactus. “Why didn’t you tell me it would taste so nasty?”
“It was something you need to learn for yourself.” I told the girls. “You need to know how each potion works yourself before you give it to anyone else.”
I could feel my Mama’s, Grannie’s and Aunt SunRay’s smiling upon me.
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Life is hard. So put on your big girl panties and deal with it.