Thursday, January 21, 2016
Grandma Rita will forever be a women I admire for her strength, wit, and kindness. I see a lot of her character in who I am today. I think my Dad and Grandpa Hank will agree, she passed along being smart ass to me. Yet, with our shared quality of quick wit, there is always a kind heart behind all that we do.
I will always remember my visits to Ohio. She was the first to teach me to sew. I have a memory of spending hours learning how to sew a log cabin square out of old jeans. I went on to sew a few quilts of my own and remember her being proud of my perfectly matched corners. She was always interested in my choices of clothing, looking at the pattern, with an eye for detail. She could easily create a pattern in her mind. Although, I have not yet reached her expert level of reupholstering furniture. But, when I heard the news, I immediately sat down and said "well I better finish these damn curtains I've been meaning to sew".
I also admired her ability to tell it like is, no bullshit could get past her. She once told a teenage Nick, it looked like he took a dump in his sagging jeans and I loved that she could give my big brother grief. She could always make us laugh.
Despite our distance, I knew my grandma would always be there for me and loved me. I must also thank her for raising my dad to be caring, hardworking, honest, and loyal. Dad then instilled these principles in my brother and I. And above all, family always came first.
Cheers to Grandma Rita for making this family what it is today. My heart is with my Grandpa Hank for loosing his sweetheart and my Uncle Carl, Aunt Marie, and Dad for loosing an amazing mother. To all those that knew her, please celebrate the joy she brought us in life.
