Admiration

Continuing now with the grandparent series I give you Grandma Katie:

Had you known my dear grandma Katie,
Whose years reached 8 shy of eighty,
You could never redress,
My wish to confess,
How much I admire that lady.

Grandma Katie is the grandparent most of my favorite memories surround. She was the epitome of what you think of in terms of the classic grandma. She wore her very white hair up in a bun and wore dresses often covered in aprons or white knitted sweaters. She was clever and funny and loved her 22 grandchildren without reserve. She never tried to be one of us, but always joined us at what we enjoyed. If we wanted to go “cruising”, she would ride along and do Chinese fire-drills with us. She would never interfere with our love lives but was extremely honest if asked what she thought about a particular fellow. She was a classic…absolutely adorable and I’ve never heard a sour word about her from anyone.

She was always grandma but when my uncle John’s kids were born they started calling her Grandma Katie because both of their grandma’s were named Schwartz. After this name took root, everyone started calling her Grandma Katie…even people who weren’t related to her. I know…some of you are surprised I knew anyone I wasn’t related to. It’s true…we did mingle among the English now and then. And they liked Grandma Katie.

One of my favorite memories of Grandma Katie was our last goodbye. She had come to visit us in Nashville and it was the first time I noticed her acting old. She insisted we go ahead of her at the store so we wouldn’t have to wait on her slow feet. She just wasn’t quite herself. Just a few weeks later I was in Michigan and visiting with her and the rest of my family. Before I got in the car to return to Nashville, Grandma Katie grabbed me very close and kissed my cheek and said, “Goodbye Mary.”

I squeezed her back and said, “Goodbye Grandma.”

I continued talking to others in the room but she kept holding me in a tight hug. She kissed my cheek again and said, “Goodbye Mary.” I chuckled a little and repeated my goodbye.

I talked some more and she kept her hug secure and one more time she giggled a little and said, “Goodbye Mary.” This time I laughed a little more, repeated my goodbye and hugged her again. It was the last thing she would say to me and I can’t help but think she somehow knew we wouldn’t get the chance to hug each other again.

I got a call a month or so later that Grandma had passed away. A blood clot had found it’s way to her heart and she left us with tears in our eyes and so many stories to tell.

I must save some of my stories because I need to get moving. I keep thinking of other things about her as I type and it’s a shame you can’t just meet her. If you will all come to heaven with me, we will go to her house and she’ll make popcorn for us and I’m sure we’ll have to play a game of Rook while were there as well.

In other news, Aron’s birthday party happened and he would not entertain us with face planting fun in the cake. He loved it, but he would only take it in small bits. There will be pictures…no promises as to when. He is one year old and I can’t believe how quickly we got here. He’s a prize, and oh how Grandma Katie would have enjoyed him. I like to think that she does.

And…IT’S MOVE DAY!!!!!!!!!!! The big truck is scheduled to arrive at 9:15.