It is music to my ears
When the kids yell, “Hey you’re cheating like Nana!”
While playing Rummikub
And then we all giggle and remember those days
Days when she would pick up the phone
With “Hello Ro, how are you dear”
“And how are those beautiful children?”
Or answer the door just as we walked up
Days when we would watch her eat
With that gold lame bib
She would proudly take out for lunch
And offer to buy me one as well
Today my fingers tingle
When I hold a book I think she would like
And I remember chatting
About books
About characters
But then my cheeks redden
When I think about that one time
I mailed her books only to discover
I had included something racy in the mix
And I tried not to laugh as she scolded me
I did not know my Nana in her youth
Raised by a single mother
Married to a brilliant workaholic
Brought to live in the Mohave Desert
I came on the scene in her golden years
And grew to love her even more as she aged
As she opened up and lost her edge
As she grew more vulnerable
And love her I did, deeply
Into her 90s
As she made butterfly glass jewelry in the home
And talked about politics and lectures
And reflected on her life
And mine
Happy Birthday dear Nana
Sometimes the prickliest of people
Soften
And leave room for the development
Of a lovely relationship
Even towards the end
You are missed and loved
All the way across the world
Today
Such a pretty tribute, Ro!
thank you! love you!