Memories of Moms and Grandmas

I also wanted to share what my Mom and I read at my Grandma's Memorial Service in June so that it won't be lost..


Our Memories

As I write these memories, the lines blur between memories of my Grandma with family memories of moms and daughters.
I can see Grandma Irene offering my daughter Lucy a toy with a sweet intensity. For that moment they are lost in each others eyes. The kind smile she offers her great-grandaughter is one that has been shared with me and my cousins, as well as her own daughters and son.

Katy: I remember being 4 or 5 years old and licking the beaters offered by mom own mom as she recalls memories from her childhood.

Margie: I can still remember licking the spoon to taste the batter of Mom's Mazola cake, our first cake with oil rather than shortening.

Both: We remember dipping the bottom of a glass into sugar to press dough balls into cookies. And flouring the table to roll and cut Mom's sugar cookies.

Both: And your memories are mine, and mine are yours until they become our memories

Margie: I remember standing on a picnic table with Mom, as we listened to Roy Orbison at Summerfest. And our excitement of flying to New York City together to see Dione Warwick.

Both: We remember visiting the Polish craft booths and sampling foods together at folk fair.

Both: And your memories are my memories and mine are yours until they become ours

Katy: I remember counting deer out the window on our way to the Wisconsin Dells with Grandpa and Grandma.

Margie: I remember the long car ride to and hot summer of Hayward, Wisconsin with my family.

Margie: Do you remember having our Easter baskets and Easter meal blessed on Holy Saturday?

Both: Do you remember Grandma's pudding cake, and her Lamb Cake, and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus?

Both: And your memories are mine and mine are yours until they become ours

Katy: I remember magical moments in Grandma's piano room, surrounded by cousins and plants. I remember pricking my finger on Grandma's cactus that looked soft and fuzzy. And of sitting at the piano learning to sing a Christmas carol in Polish.

Margie: I remember how Mom sewed many of our clothes. I remember the soft velvet top and satin bottom of the special Christmas dresses she made for us.

Both: Through her hands, her heart, and her prayers Grandma/ Mom showed us her love.

Margie: Thank you Mom for bringing us an appreciation for the small things in life:
Reading a good book, playing a game of Yatzee, and enjoying Quality Fairy Food.

Katy: Thank you for a lifetime of memories. We love you and will miss you dearly.

to the many friends and family members I have encountered who act as Caregivers, especially to an adult spouse or parent

Quiet Witness of a Caring Giver

I thought of you the other day, when you weren't even around.
You're a person who's sincere and true; whose heart is warm and sound.

In daylight you offer a guiding hand; At night a listening ear,
You face many challenges along the way; Your kindness keeps you near.

Preparing and caring for two, is extra work each day.
Yet these are the things you continue to do, and not for prize or pay.


I witness your devotion, even when frustrations do arise.
I honor your time and efforts, the concern that's deep in your eyes.

Your loved one my not say thank you; perhaps they don't know how,
Please accept this heartfelt acknowledgement, from me to you right now.

so many words for snow, so many words to describe baby poop

while daddy is busy teaching baby L how to say "papaya", mommy is marveling over all the words that have been added to my own vocabulary since little ones have been added to my life.

just this morning L had "stinkerbuns" so it was off for a diaper change. it was not good. i don't need to bore you with details of color, consistency or quantity, but i will let you know it left an annoying amount of poor crumbs on the buns.

poop crumbs: noun. small flecks of fecal matter that do not, in fact brush away like crumbs on a counter, but suction and stick maddeningly to the skin. you see them; you wipe them; they are still there. poop crumbs.

keep in mind that L's pretty much putting on some kind of baby breakdancing show during the diaper change. she settles down only for a moment to announce "eye, eye!" which is her new favorite word. however in this context, "eye, eye" refers to the eye she has just smeared "butt cream" into.

after many wipes and a quick bath, the poop crumbs are gone. i offer a moment of silent thanks; at least this time she didn't have poop up the back.
(poop up the back: noun. a diaper full of poop that doesn't end where the diaper ends, but in fact goes up the back. poop up the back. )