Colorful bubbe

Since I posted last, it’s been an absolute whirlwind.

You might have seen this on my Twitter, but my bubbe (grandma) passed away peacefully last Wednesday night in the presence of my father (her son).

This past year as I was in Pittsburgh, I frequently visited and looked after my bubbe while she was in a retirement home battling Alzheimer’s. It tried to go as much as I could and as time passed, it became harder and harder. Forever though, I’ll think of those visits fondly because I was there for her. Sometimes, I felt like she knew who I was without saying anything and sometimes I didn’t. Either way, I was there.

She’d been battling Alzheimer’s for a long time. Since my grandpa passed away (the love of her life). It goes without saying that her passing was a relief. She finally was at rest. Her pain is gone. Her and my grandpa are together again!

Her funeral was Friday and it was lovely. It was more of a celebration than anything There were five speakers (myself included). I spoke for my grandpa’s funeral as well. At first, I’m nervous but as long as you speak from the heart, everything comes out naturally. I did get choked up, so it helped to have some key points written down. The main thing I stressed about bubbe was how I never had to be fake around her. I could always be myself and she encouraged uniqueness. Here’s one of my favorite stories about her that I’ve heard before and had the pleasure of hearing again.

They were at temple one day and the Rabbi was describing to everyone about what it will be like when the Messiah comes. He’s explaining everything in detail and being very elaborate. All the sudden, a woman raises her hand and asks, “But Rabbi, I don’t understand. How will I know when the Messiah comes?” So, the Rabbi goes and explains everything again. The same woman raises her hands again and says, “Rabbi, I still don’t understand! How will I know the Messiah is here?” In response, my bubbe turns around in her chair, faces the woman and says, “I’ll call you!”

She was a sassy and colorful woman indeed. She wore big jewelry and decorated her house with a ton of color. In fact, if I could describe her in one word it would be “colorful.” Another reason that’s a good adjective is because she painted. A lot. She won awards for her paintings and I am lucky enough to have some in my procession.

So since the funeral was Friday, Dan and I drove to Pittsburgh Thursday night. This is after I drove to Lancaster, PA (my future home!), signed paperwork for my new job, found an apartment (yes!), and drove back (which took twice as long because of DC traffic!).

I did a TON of driving that day! I was so lucky that Dan came with me. Really, I don’t know what I’d do without him.

The weekend was fantastic. We spent time with family and told stories about bubbe and how much she made us smile.

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Here are some details: I found an apartment close to my work It’s absolutely AWESOME and everything I’ve ever wanted! I’m so excited to start decorating it.

I start my job on August 16 which doesn’t give me a lot of time. I plan to move in two weeks. Eek!

If you live in or close to Lancaster, PA, EMAIL ME! I need friends! Haha

More soon…

xo

P.S. Here’s a video of bubbe from back in 2007: