Monday, March 15, 2010

A few thoughts......

a very dreaded moment is upon us......

Daniel headed to Red Deer this morning(his regular Monday morning), and got a call from the hospital saying if he, or anyone is coming, they best get there.  He relayed this message to his brother and two sisters.........as it seems now they will all be with Baba.  I can't tell you what(I believe)this would mean to her, and how comforting it will be for Gido(he will need them).  Our mothers bring us into the world.......although very difficult, it's seems right we be there/help them leave it.  

There are many words that describe my dear Mother-in-law, this is the first one that comes to mind, 
Selfless 
-adjective
having little or no concern for oneself, esp. with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.  
from what I know of her, she ALWAYS put others first.......especially the little ones! 

Firstly, I think of Gido............losing a lifelong partner of 69 years is beyond my comprehension.

Her children......will think of them all day, this is going to be so hard.....

Auntie Doris...........she will lose her sister(her last living sibling), I called her last night.......she visited with Baba last Sunday.

My children have had the privilege(as I did)of having the best Baba/Grandma in the world...... what more could you ask for.....she gave them so much!  

I think of Nellie K., probably Baba's longest dearest friend........in today's world they would be referred to as BFF.......she visited Baba this week, how hard must this be?  Baba 91.5 and Nellie nearing 90(I'm sure)!  

I think also think of my Mom, who loved Baba........I have TONS of memories of them laughing together, having a great old time!  It might have been painting, picking berries, plucking chickens......after the work was done they usually enjoyed a glass of wine(or a shot), then a few more laughs.  Not that you want people to mourn, but it feels stange to me that Mom will not even realize one of her very dear friends will soon be gone(that's another story).  

The past several years have been hard for Baba.......her health not giving her many breaks.  Back surgery, strokes, heart troubles, kidney problems......other ailments that come with aging.  To the say the least, she has be stronger than strong........she has amazed me many times!! 

Because our recent memories are difficult ones....I am choose to think back a bit, back to the day when she of full of life, back to the days when she had a good hardy laugh(the ones from the belly).  The days when she could single handly put on a meal fit for a King(if the King liked Ukranian food).  She could cook for any number of people......whether it be in her own kitchen, or the Glendon hall.......650 for supper, no problem(she had help at the hall)!!!   She was worrier........a love kind of worry.....always looking out for others.  She wanted to be sure everyone was healthy, safe, not in any type of danger........hoping no one would get hurt.  If you went fishing she wanted to make sure you were careful, ski-dooing, traveling, anything.........until she knew you were back, safe and sound......she worried!  This never changed, even the last time I visited her and she could only get out a few words.....it was, "how's the kids"(hoping all was well, they were okay)?   At present we all think of Gido being the gardner......I think back to the day when the garden was Baba's(Gido was usually in the field).......and what a garden it was!  After the garden.....there were her flowers, she LOVED FLOWERS.......and she loved getting flowers as a gift.......I've heard her say many times....bring me flowers when I'm living so I can enjoy them, not when I die.  Her love for crafting, she has made, crafted so many things...........and for so many people!  Probably her most cherished creation is her Ukranian Easter eggs........when chicken eggs got to be hard to complete(due to the size), she wasn't ready to give up her talent, so she switched to ostrich eggs..........making everyone in the family one......each child, and grandchild....that would be 14 of them(and I think there a few extras)!!!  How could I forget her Korovia's(Ukranian wedding cake).......how many of these did she make.......they've gone to many location from the east to west coast, and many places in between!   


story still in progress.......above post! 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful aunty...