I was lucky enough to be asked by my Aunt to write and deliver the eulogy at Grammy's funeral mass. I can't think of a better way to cap off this blog than by making it the final post. Here's to you, Gram. I love you.
Lucy C. Orkwis
March 5, 1933 - April 30, 2012 |
Grammy. What. A. Lady. She really was one of a kind. Others may claim their family members are one
of a kind…but no, she really was. I
mean, how many people do you know of that unashamedly shove rolls and packets
of butter into their pockets in a buffet line at a Family Reunion? Although some might argue she and Uncle Bully
did share a few noteworthy characteristics.
And boy did her face light up when she talked with him. She had Aunt Cookie’s day-to-day schedule
memorized…so if you were leaving a doctor’s office at 10 and you didn’t call
her by 10:30, oh we heard about it! And
I can hear Aunt Jeanie calling the house now... ”Where’s your Grama?” –-hand
Grammy the phone, “It’s Aunt Jeanie.”-- “What?”
She sure had a way with words, didn’t she? But she was a sister. A caring sister. The big sister. She wore that hat proudly.
This past
week, I kept hearing everyone say, she was ‘Lucy & Al’ and she was
‘Grammy.’ Unfortunately I didn’t know
her as part of the ‘Lucy & Al’ duo.
But those two personas seemed to be the ones she held closest to her
heart. Of course she was a mother too! But even her own kids called her
‘Grammy’ or ‘Gram’ more than they called her ‘Mom’ for the past 20+ years or
so. As for her grandchildren:
David and
Joey got chased the most with the wooden spoon.
And if she had the one with the spokes on it, that was used for
spaghetti, then you knew they were REALLY in trouble! All you guys had to do was pull up your
pants! Danni and Jamie got the most back massages…lying across Grammy’s lap on
the couch. I’m not sure who enjoyed it
more though, Grammy or them. She claimed
her hand would get sore, but I know she actually loved doing it. Dylan was the baby for a long time until
Joshua appeared 8 years ago. Grammy
scared Dylan into thinking he would get “PNEUMONIA” if he didn’t wear socks on
our cold, tile, kitchen floor. Josh said
one of his favorite memories was watching a movie and making popcorn because
Grammy would always hide a surprise piece of candy in the bottom of the basket
for him. And at some point or another,
we ALL experienced having to sit on the glider in a time out for misbehaving in
the pool! Most likely for inadvertently getting
a splash of water on Grammy’s glasses. As
for me, I was her gopher. I’d gopher
cigarettes. I’d gopher lottery tickets.
I’d gopher cans of tomato sauce from the pantry. I’d gopher her laundry out of the dryer. I’d do what she asked, without talking. And that my friends, is how you become the
favorite. But honestly, even though
these tasks were at times an inconvenience, I knew one day I would miss doing
them. I did all these things and more,
because I knew one day, she wouldn’t be here to ask me to do these things
anymore.
And that
was the Grammy we knew. If you asked her
friends, they knew a whole different side of her. They saw a generous, concerned,
understanding, helpful, thoughtful, terrific person with nothing selfish about
her. In fact, when I asked her BINGO buddy Gayle, that was what she said, verbatim.
I know Grammy valued her life-long friendship with neighbors Jack and
Mary. When they visited, I always heard
stories about the parties they would throw.
Her bowling buddy and chauffer, Cini, stopped by the house Tuesday
morning to say she couldn’t make it today.
But what she shared with us was how much Grammy talked about her kids,
and grandkids, and how proud of us she was…and how sometimes she would go out
of her way, walk down 3 lanes at the bowling alley, to someone she didn’t even
know, and tell him not to drop his shoulder and to follow through!
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| Grammy & BINGO buddy Gayle in all their glory. |
As for
Grammy’s children, unfortunately the four of you are going to have to start
making some adjustments. Aunt Mare,
you’re going to have to start peeling your own grapefruit and preparing your
own spaghetti squash. Aunt Cor, you’re
going to have to start celebrating every one of your birthdays because you
won’t have the luxury of being overshadowed anymore. Uncle Fred, you’re going to have to find
another Patriots fan to cheer against during football season. Mom, you’re going to have to start making
your own coffee in the morning and find something else to complain about
besides the TV being too loud. Basically
what I’m saying is…I think it’s time to grow up.
If I could,
I would tell Grammy this: I will forever cherish your words of wisdom,
disgustingly odd cold remedies, age-old recipes, and techniques in the
kitchen. I will always know company is coming
when a utensil accidentally hits the floor, and I promise to put Vicks on as
soon as I feel a tickle in my throat.
I’ll make sure David gets only 3 pieces of brasciole and that regardless
of what is for dinner, to have buttered noodles and broccoli for Danni. I’ll call and check up on Aunt Tee Tee…maybe
not every day like you did. But I will. And
I’ll bother Aunt Jeanie in the summer to get tomatoes from her garden.
I
promise to bring out the Penn State cheerleader doll for every football game,
and I’ll even cheer for the Patriots every once in a while too. I’m not going to promise I’ll wash the dishes
though. And I can’t say honestly that
I’ll watch the Polkas on Saturday nights either. Nor will I frequent the 99Cent store as
often. We haven’t voted yet, but I’m
going to nominate my mom to take your place as the garbage bag holder on
Christmas, a duty I’m sure you’re happy to step down from. She’s probably going to have to take on all
of the house’s sewing projects too. But
I can say with confidence that the head chef position at 15 Law Street will
never be filled. And last but not least,
I promise to introduce Monkey Bread and Celery Parmesan to as many people as
possible. I admired your willpower,
drive, and determination to not let anything stop you, especially in the past 2
months.
She was lucky.
My Grammy. In fact, she had all
the luck in the world if you ask me. Her
heaping pile of losing lottery tickets and winless BINGO trips to Turning Stone
Casino might say differently, but her luck was all around her. Always.
It’s in this room right now. And
even if she didn’t say it often or at all, she knew. She knew how lucky she
was. And this week, with my grandfather
by her side, she finally won the lottery.
Follow @emilee_with2Es
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| Grammy's 70th birthday present: this jersey. |
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| The most recent photo of Grammy with all of her children & grandchildren, my college graduation party. |
