Oy Veh

Where have I been? Well my friends the past week has been quite the journey but we're back and we're both getting back in to the swing of things.  Sorry that I disappeared!

Rich and I took an unexpected trip to Chicago over the weekend...just returning Tuesday night.  We found out last Wednesday that Rich's Grandma had suffered a heart attack.  With much sadness in my heart, Grandma Bessie ended up passing away on Friday.  She was 96 years old.  I don't want to talk much about the weekend in respect of Rich and his family but rather I would love to tell you a little about Grandma Bessie who I had the privilege of meeting several times while Rich and I dated.  Grandma Bessie...this is for you!

I first met Grandma Bessie during my inaugural trip to visit Rich's family February of 2008.  At first I was surprized as at 94 years old (in '08) Grandma Bessie lived on her own and in her own apartment.  94 years old and living on her own?!?!  She still did her own shopping and cooking, and took care of her apartment.  94 years old!  I couldn't believe it!  But as soon as I met Grandma I knew that this was an incredibly strong lady. A formidable character with a strong passion for her family, Grandma Bessie was the foundation of her family.  She really was the grounding factor, the matriarch.  She was the glue.  And it was so evident that she loved it!  She loved playing that role and being there for everybody around her.

Having visited with Grandma Bessie, I could tell she was a no frills, straight to the point kinda lady!  She didn't mess around!  If she had something on her mind, she would definitely let it be known and nothing seemed out of bounds.  I loved that quality about her.  Rich's Mum told me that Grandma Bessie had really liked me.  The feelings were mutual. 

Even at 96 years old, Grandma Bessie was totally up on the news.  She read the newspaper every day, listened to the news on the radio, understood the current happenings in the world of politics and kept up with the NFL and MLB.  The Cubs and the Bears were her favorite teams!  I remember that whenever we would visit, she would bug Rich about his finances...making sure that he was on top of things.  Talking to him about interest rates and stocks, this and that.  96 years old!  What a formidable lady!

Here's a funny story for you as well.  Rich told me that the first time he showed Grandma pictures of me (when we first started dating) she looked at him and said "she's a little dark, huh?".  Rich hadn't told her that I wasn't Jewish or American and she was simply trying to figure it out in her head only thinking her thoughts out loud, as she usually did!  I love that story.  Rich loves it too and it makes us laugh every time.  :)

Here are some pictures from the last time we saw her. 

The three of us in her apartment.

I love this picture.  She was in deep discussion here and I was able to capture the moment on film.

Same thing here.  I was quietly snapping away as they were chatting about something or the other.  Probably about finances.  ;-)  Love, love, love this picture.

Grandma Bessie with her Grand kids (minus one).

This is the other picture that Rich and I love.  She was getting crabby that we kept taking pictures of her when she was in her home clothes and without make up on.  We of course thought her irritation was ridiculously funny!!  Here she is in the middle of whining about it and look how happy we all look!  It was such a funny moment for us to share!  Between snaps, we were all laughing pretty hard.  She was a good sport about it in the end.  Goodness, Rich and I love really this picture because it brings back such a funny memory of Grandma Bessie.

This is a photograph of a framed family portrait that is up in her apartment.  Taken probably in 1978 or 1979 with her kids and grand kids.  Can you guess which one is Rich?

Couldn't help it.  :)

And so now she is up in heaven enjoying quality time with her maker, her husband, her son and the rest of her friends and family.  Grandma Bessie told her family many times that she was ready to be in heaven and knowing that certainly helps us to feel more comfortable with her passing.  It's almost as if she knew what she was doing when she was alive...telling us that was ready to go so that it would be easier for us when she did eventually leave us.  Taking care of us from a far.  Yup, that's Grandma Bessie all right.  :) 

-x-