Tonight, as your daddy and I were reading to you, our hospital door opened. There was Paka. Followed by Zsu Zsu. Followed by Aunt Aubrey and Uncle Kiley. I didn't need to look at their faces to know instantly something was seriously wrong. They're here daily, but an impromptu visit at 10 PM was not for visiting purposes.
I was met with the shocking news that my incredibly healthy and spunky grandma had suddenly passed. When the initial shock finally wore off, I felt so overcome with anger. Here I am, trapped in a shoebox of a hospital room, yet I've been positive. I have worked to find the good in everything. But this was just too much. Now I don't even have the chance to say goodbye to Grandma. It just seems cruel that she would be taken so suddenly. Just this week we had told her that Aunt Aubrey and Uncle Kye would be driving up there in December to bring her back for Christmas. She was overjoyed. When we asked how long she wanted to stay, she immediately answered, "Well until the babies are born! I want to help with the boys." Oh, Little Ones, you were already loved! She couldn't wait to meet you.
So, in the midst of my selfish anger, sadness, and pain, this is my tribute to your great grandma. This is just a glimpse of who she was:
Jennie Ross was...
a hostess unlike any other (except for Zsu Zsu, who inherited this fabulous trait from her momma). No matter what hour we would arrive at her house, a full meal would be laid out. (And I mean any hour! One trip up, well after midnight, I had to eat fried chicken and chicken noodle soup!) And this wasn't just family treatment. Your great grandma would serve all and any with the same hospitality.
the hardest working woman I have known. At 87 years old, she was still changing curtains, washing windows and dust boards, and doing yard work...just to name a few. Last summer, Zsu Zsu and I went up to help her with summer chores (pruning shrubs, flipping mattresses, you name it). While Zsu Zsu was pruning, your Great Grandma and I followed behind her, picking up every single needle....in the 90 degree weather!! After a couple hours, Zsu Zsu and I were beat! We needed a break. Your, at the time, 86 year old great grandma said, "Yeah. You two go rest for a bit. I'll finish up here." How did an 80-some outlast us?!
an exquisite cook. To go right along with her generous hospitality, the dishes served were always scrumptious. And her cooking skills weren't brought out just for guests. She always had fabulous meals - all three - no matter who was eating them. Her mind and plans for any event always revolved around the food. You could always count on one question being asked after going to any event, "What did they serve?"
very proud of her roots. 100% Italian is what she claimed. I will miss her delicious Italian cooking. She passed on many traditions to us, which I will be sure to pass on to you.
a political buff. CNN or MSNBC was most likely the channel you'd find when you turned on her TV. But TV wasn't her only source of info - she would always read her newspapers, and her Time magazines. I could always count on her asking, "What do you think about ________, Court?"
a servant of Jesus Christ. For as long as I live, I will never forget watching my grandma walk into Crystal Lake and get baptized at 70-some years old. It was one of the greatest baptisms I've ever witnessed.
a classy dresser. No matter how big or small, if she was heading out, you could guarentee that she would be dressed up. Big events - an important church service, holidays, graduations, etc. - always caused for a new outfit! And she would never be found out without her jewelry or lipstick on!
an athlete and loyal, yet incredibly pessimistic sports fan! Steelers and Pirates those were her teams. Yet, before the first tackle was made or pitch thrown, she was already complaining about how they were going to lose! And though she didn't always see the entire game (out of disgust for poor playing), she always tuned in.
a care-giver. I watched her as she nursed my Pap-Pap in his last summer. You could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but she didn't let that stop her. She took care of her husband all the way until his final breath. She took care of her son through years of battling a brain tumor. Eventually, at just 30 years old, your Great Uncle Ryan lost his battle to a brain tumor. But your Great Grandma was there, caring for him through it all. And just this year, she took care of her dying sister. She would bring her meals and keep her company daily. Just last week, she had to say goodbye to her sister.
a wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was her life and she took such pride in her family. She and Pap-Pap were married for years. There are a few sweet moments I will always remember of the two of them, that made me giggle - I will never forget watching my Pap-Pap swing dance with her in the kitchen! It was such a sweet and silly moment. I love this memory. You could see the pride as she watched your Zsu Zsu take care of her these last few years. She had always been a very independent woman. But with the passing of my Pap-Pap, things changed and she needed more help. I will never forget the look as Zsu Zsu and I surprised her one week to help out. She took one look at her daughter and her eyes just lit up. That same week, as they hugged goodbye, it was beautiful to see the sincere gratitude and love in her eyes for her baby girl. Oh how I wish I could add "great grandma" to this list.
I think I could keep going all night. Jennie Ross was a woman unlike any other I have known. She was a spunky little thing who kept us on our toes with the things she would say. In the midst of my anger and confusion, I am grateful she did not suffer or have to fight any illness. She was such a hard worker, I imagine her body was simply exhausted from constantly giving to others. With the passing of her sister last week, she worried about being alone and not being able to drive. She worried about whether or not to move to Kentucky or stay alone up north. I think God rescued her from these decisions that she just didn't want to make. I'm just selfishly sad that we didn't have any warning, that I didn't get to talk to her one last time, and that I will not be able to make the trip up north to say goodbye. But I'm grateful for the memories I have of her. Don't worry boys, you will know who your Great Grandma was, I have many stories to share with you once you are here!
