I was able to speak at her memorial service. We all made it to celebrate her life. She died in her sleep on July 23, 2018. She lived a beautiful and meaningful life.
My Nanny, was one of the most interesting people I knew. She had perfected the art of conversation. She knew a little something about everything, and so she could speak to just about anyone. She was an avid reader. She loved the book, "The Candy Bomber." At a Christmas market I got to meet Gail Halvorsen a.k.a the Candy Bomber. I couldn't wait to tell her, and her reaction did not disappoint. She clapped her hands together and said, "Oh, Jules isn't that wonderful!"
She was very funny and quick witted. I never got over how quick she was on her feet. My grandparents were snowbirds and lived in Florida during the winter months. When B was 10 months old I went to Florida to visit them with my parents. I was suppose to meet my parents at the airport and drive to the hotel. However, there was a police chase at their airport and their flight was delayed for 10 hours. So my grandparents drove an hour to the airport to rescue the babe and me. But first, they needed to go to the rental car agency to get the car seat I needed. While my grandmother walked through the airport to the agency a TSA agent asked if he could help her with anything. Her reply, "Oh, no. I just came in for a pat down; I am very lonely". Zing!
I would call Nanny every Wednesday. She would email me the day before if she had appointments so she wouldn't miss my call. One of those phone calls I was in the throes of potty training. I was complaining to her. She said, "Don't forget Jules they didn't build Rome in a day." I said, "Well, according to Pinterest they did! And when they are 18 months!" She paused as if she were thinking very carefully what to say next, and said, "Well, that's just horseshit."
She was extremely generous. My grandfather was a proud German. I often heard Germany referred to as, "The Motherland". Five years ago I had the opportunity to go to Germany. I called her and said, "Nanny, I'm going to the Motherland!" Before my trip I received a little package from her. She had gone to the World Bank and sent me 100 euros, so as she said, "You have some pocket money and you don't have to stress about finding an exchange right away." Let me tell you, we lived off of that 100 euros for a few days because we couldn't get to an exchange. It saved us. It's something I plan to do for my loved ones.
She was thoughtful. She would send us little gifts just because she thought we would like it. She sent me gift cards to clothing stores and said, "Go buy yourself a nice new outfit." She loved to send me funny memes about animals and wise advice. She would send animated virtual cards for every holiday. She was so technically savvy, I couldn't help but brag about her. It helped that she read the WHOLE manual and ALL the instructions cover to cover. She was politically active, and volunteered at the poll stations every election. Her and her good friend went door to door campaigning for John F. Kennedy. She did it in her own neighborhood which was very Republican, but if anyone could find common ground and get people to listen, it was my Nanny. Then three short years later, on a cold sad morning, my grandfather drove my weepy Grandmother and her friend to Washington D.C. to attend Kennedy's funeral. She was liberal but bipartisan. She had a neighbor who was friends with George H.W. Bush, so she sent President Bush a letter inviting him to dinner. She was tickled pink that she got a response, it was a "regretfully decline" but she was elated nonetheless.
There is a void that she once occupied. When you would visit her house she always had shrimp cocktails, crackers and cheese and all choices of beverages. I miss her conversations. She was always interested in people. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was an excellent friend and her greatest lesson was teaching me how to be one. She loved to see pictures of my friends and she ask their names. Her life was full. Full of family, full of friends, full of laughter, and full of love. Her loss is felt immensely, but I'm forever grateful I got to have her for so long and my girls were able to form a relationship with her. She was the smartest and most literate woman I have ever known, I am grateful for her example, her stories and her fierce support throughout my life. Nanny, you will be forever loved.
