Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A Letter to Audrey

Dear Grandma Audrey,
 
It’s hard to imagine that I cannot just pick up the phone and hear your voice saying, “Hello, Dara Darling”, but I will forever remember those words in my mind. I’m so glad you had the chance to spend time with Mike and Ben. It’s not often a little person gets to meet their great-grandma, and I loved how you automatically loved Mike, simply because I did, and how you instantly treated him like one of the family.

I have so many memories of you – Your big hugs and warm kisses, our trips to Florida, the smell of your apartment building, your candy dish, the canal, your pot roast, your perfume, your shining white hair, celebrating your birthdays, coming to Florida on my own and spending special time together... going to movies, dinners, playing your keyboard, singing and dancing. I remember realizing that for 90-something, my grandma is pretty hip in her thinking, making it so easy to talk to you like a friend. I will remember your visits to California with Grandpa Julie. Grandpa Julie, who always played games with us, told funny jokes, did his exercises every morning, and poured Metamucil into his orange juice-stirring and stirring...the stirring that drove you crazy!

I will remember your strength, your strength as a woman. I will remember your painted nails, the way you always talked about grandpa Irving with such love, your confidence, and your enormous heart. A heart of gold.

Though Ben probably won’t remember his visits with Nana, and Sam never got the chance to meet you in-person, they will know their extraordinary Nana. They will know you through the stories we share, through the pictures we show them, the memory book you made us. They will know you through Nonni and Poppi, Uncle Bob and Aunt Renee. Though you are not here in person, your spirit is here, and will live on in each of us, because we are a part of you.

You will be greatly missed, but it makes me smile to think that after all of these years apart, you and Grandpa Irving can finally be together again.

We love you, Grandma Audrey, with all our hearts.

Love
Dara, Mike, Ben, and Sam

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