Wednesday, January 30, 2013

What my Grandmother's Passing Taught Me

Saturday morning, January 26, 2013, my beloved grandmother passed away in her 103rd year. On March 24, she would have turned 103.

I learned some things over the next few days.

I learned my grandmother's maiden name was changed when her parents moved from the Ukraine to Canada. I figured it must have been, but didn't know what it was.

I learned my great grandfather was born in Bulgaria. No one is quite sure how they met, as my great grandmother was born in Kiev.

My grandparents lived with my grandmother's family for 10 years before they bought their first home.

My grandmother never went to high school but she did go to Business college and did the bookkeeping in my great grandfather's produce store.

If my great grandfather had any sons who were interested in business, you could be shopping at Marlow's instead of Longo's. or Loblaw's. Alas, none of my grandmother's 3 brothers were interested in the business.

Thinly veiled hostility has no place at a shiva house. And I witnessed a lot of VERY thinly veiled hostility between some family members.

The ones who truly care go out of their way to comfort you.

I really, really, really miss my grandma.

1 comment:

  1. Gayla - as always you have shared your honesty and openess during this difficult time. I am sorry for your loss and I know that you really really miss your gramma. I find that shiva is a hard thing as well, there are people all around, and then they are gone. It isn't an easy time, hang in there.

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