Nana
My Nana has recently passed away. New Years Eve, before the clock struck midnight.
Maria Magdalena.
A military wife, and mother of 6, she was incredibly sweet, always thinking of others before herself and giving all that she had in every way, from her possessions to her love and compassion.
Of the 23 years I knew this woman, one scene continues to roll through my mind, and it is one of the more recent moments I spent with Nana. In September, while home for a few months, I spent the afternoon at her house, relaxing, eating treats and talking about the past 70 or so years of her life. She told me of the nights she went dancing in Spokane. When her and her sister Carol would sneak out of the house and spend 25 Cents to get into a club downtown. She told me of her marriages, of the dancer she fell in love with and married in Coeur d'Alene, the singer which followed, all before she finally met my Papa. We laughed at her pictures, displayed on the walls and the ones in her photo-books, pictures which told the story of our family; of all the cousins, holidays and reunions of the past 30 years and more. I had never before had such an intimate moment with her.
Its difficult being away from home right now, away from my family at such a time. It is even more difficult to imagine future holidays without Nana there. Thanksgivings and Christmases without the decorated vegetable trays she would bring, or wacky cookies that, at times, tasted a little off when the sugar or salt or some other key ingredient was left out. Or even the numerous crafts she would gift upon all of the grandkids and aunts and uncles, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.
Miss you, Nan. And Love you more.
Maria Magdalena.
A military wife, and mother of 6, she was incredibly sweet, always thinking of others before herself and giving all that she had in every way, from her possessions to her love and compassion.
Of the 23 years I knew this woman, one scene continues to roll through my mind, and it is one of the more recent moments I spent with Nana. In September, while home for a few months, I spent the afternoon at her house, relaxing, eating treats and talking about the past 70 or so years of her life. She told me of the nights she went dancing in Spokane. When her and her sister Carol would sneak out of the house and spend 25 Cents to get into a club downtown. She told me of her marriages, of the dancer she fell in love with and married in Coeur d'Alene, the singer which followed, all before she finally met my Papa. We laughed at her pictures, displayed on the walls and the ones in her photo-books, pictures which told the story of our family; of all the cousins, holidays and reunions of the past 30 years and more. I had never before had such an intimate moment with her.
Its difficult being away from home right now, away from my family at such a time. It is even more difficult to imagine future holidays without Nana there. Thanksgivings and Christmases without the decorated vegetable trays she would bring, or wacky cookies that, at times, tasted a little off when the sugar or salt or some other key ingredient was left out. Or even the numerous crafts she would gift upon all of the grandkids and aunts and uncles, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.
Miss you, Nan. And Love you more.