Grandchildren

My nephew posted a video on Facebook of his brand-new daughter hiccupping, and it was so cute I about died. I immediately grabbed the video and posted it on my Facebook profile for all 600 of my friends to see, and I e-mailed copies to other friends who don't hang out on Facebook. Then I opened a new folder on my PC and named it "Quinn" after my new great-niece and filed a copy of the video there. I copied some of the pictures my nephew had posted of his daughter to the folder, and shipped the whole business to other friends.

It must appear to life forms on other planets who might be observing the current oil spill in the Gulf that a bunch of nuts run the show on this one. Our rising population together with advances in technology are giving rise to ever declining numbers in the natural world. For instance, did you know that over 70 percent of shore birds never make it through their migratory flights due to man-made disasters such oils spills and over-fishing? We seem to put Band-Aids on chronic problems, never fixing them and ridiculing those advocate that we do. At least we don't have to worry about leaving various problems to our grandchildren; at the rate we're going, they'll be our problems only.

On Thursday morning, Lionell Green watched construction vehicles pile debris from the fire that killed his grandmother, two cousins and his cousin's daughter in East Baltimore's Oliver neighborhood Wednesday night. It was a familiar sight. In 1994, he was one of three survivors of a house fire in Southwest Baltimore that killed nine members of his family, seven of them children. "Death just came right back around," he said. Investigators were still working to determine the cause of the overnight blaze that led to the city's first fire fatalities of 2010, said Fire Department spokesman Capt.

On October 8, 2009 ROBERT L. SR. beloved husband of the late Nancy W. Eaton; dear father of Robert E. Eaton, Jr., Norman C. Bailey, Michael W. and David E. Peery, Bridgette R. Fraley, Karen W. Sowers and Melinda L. Hayes; brother of Jonathan Cookus and the late Beth Shipley. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Gonce Funeral Service, P.A., 4001 Ritchie Hwy on Monday and Tuesday from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m. Services on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

On October 7, 2009, CLARA C. JACKSON (known as Chris or Mommom) a long-standing member of New Elizabeth Baptist Church; beloved mother of Shirley Mills, Elizabeth "Libby" Morrison and Junius "Buggs" Jackson. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 28 great-great-grandchildren. On today, friends may call at VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES (RANDALLSTOWN), 8728 Liberty Road from 3 to 8 P.M. On Monday, services for Mrs. Jackson will be held at New Elizabeth Baptist Church, 4901 Park Heights Avenue at Oakley where the family will receive friends 10 to 11 A.M with services

On October 9, 2009, WILLIAM J. HALL, SR.; beloved husband of the late Shirley A. Hall (nee Merritt); devoted father of William J. Jr., Dennis W., Gary R., and Shirley Ann Hall and the late Frank E., and Sharon M. Hall; dear brother of Charles Hall, Sr., and Helen Crouse. Also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk Inc., 7922 Wise Avenue on Monday at 12 noon. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery.

On October 7, 2009 MARI0N ANN HECHT; beloved wife for 59 years of Robert E. Hecht Sr.; loving mom of Marion A. Hecht, Robert E. Hecht Jr., Catherine H. Young, Frances H. Becker, Patricia H. Sweemer, Susan H. Maggio, Thomas A. Hecht, Teresa H. Valais, Margaret H. Gillespie and William Y. Hecht; cherished Gamme of 24 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Family received friends on Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. with a rosary service at 8:15 P.M. at STERLING-ASHTON-SCHWAB-WITZKE FUNERAL HOME OF CATONSVILLE, INC., 1630 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228 and on Friday from 10 to 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Charlestown Retirement Community.

On October 3, 2009, WILLIAM E. HUGHES, beloved husband of Eileen M. Hughes, devoted father of John E. Hughes and his wife Donna, Mary L. Eichelberger and her husband Tim, Eileen M. Reeb and her husband the late Bruce Reeb and the late Shirley A. Plourde, dear brother of Clara Brown. Also survived by nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. All Services and Interment are private. www.ruckfuneralhomes.com

Caroline Phair Potter Her loving and giving spirit will live forever in the hearts of her children, Pamela Potter-Hennessey and husband James Hennessey of Baltimore, William Potter of Baltimore, and Stephen Potter and wife Marilyn of Bradenton, Florida. She is also survived by two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

On September 28 2009 GLORIA M. (nee Lyons), beloved wife of the late Charles W. Kyzour, devoted mother of Mary Ellen Holt and husband Calvin and the late Gloria Ann Pafel, dear grandmother of Larry and Christopher Pafel. Also survived by four step-granddaughters, 11 step-great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Christian Wake Service will be held at the Lassahn Funeral Home (Overlea), 7401 Belair Road Thursday evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Church of the Annunciation Friday 10 A.M. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery.