September 14, 2004
San Francisco, California, USA

For Nanny Richardson and those she loved:

In Tuscon Arizona, a Native American woman I met on the street
painted the head of a warrior on the hood of my car.
She explained that the eyes where those of a Navajo,
and the hair was that of an apache.

She then turned to her friend, also of native american heritage, and said, "you don't know who you are, do you?"
"What do you mean?" the friend returned.
"Who are your ancestors? What tribe are you from." she wanted to know.
"I'm not sure." the friend answered.
"You are your ancestors," the woman continued. "Thier blood is your blood. You are an extention of them."

Pauline lives through you and I.
Without her, we could not be.
Nanny Richardson will never die.

Tribal people believe...
the rich are not those who have the most,
but are those who have given the most.
This being true...
Pauline was a queen

She will be missed by many who taught, touched, and loved,
but truely her spirit lives on.
We should not be sad,
but inspired by a life lived so fully.
It was for love of life
that she lived so long.

I am blessed to have descend from this great woman, my nanny Richardson
I could not wish for a better family situation.
Thanks for the good genes Pauline.

May this gift of life you've given me be as long, generous and joyful.

6:40pm, sept. 14, 04
San Francisco, California
Cory Richardson