my words for the memorial service
i inherited many things from my grandmother. the first thing i realized i got from her was the Polish ridge in my nose. i hated it throughout my young life, and only recently learned to appreciate it. after all, it came from her genes, marks my polish heritage, and it really isn't THAT bad.
i also inherited her soft skin. any one who ever held her hand or touched her face knows how very soft her skin was. she always told me "my secret is vaseline". but i know that it's all in the genes. HOWEVER, like my baubie, i will never discontinue my moisturising routine.
i inherited her sense of individuality. when i see pictures of her in her twenties, she was unmarried (despite her parent's wishes), always posing creatively, dressed differently and always standing out. the first time i saw these pictures i realized where i came from.
but mostly, i inherited baubie's sense of pride. she encountered so many hardships in her life, and dedicated everything to take care of her husband. and given all of that, she never lost sense of pride or self. through her i saw a strong woman who did what was expected, all for her loved ones, but knew that she was so much more than that. she taught me to be proud of who i am, regardless of what others thought, yet without judging others. she urged me to do whatever i thought was right for me, regardless of what was expected. whether it was dying my hair a strange color or a career choice, she made it clear that she couldn't care less what i made of my life, as long as i was myself. given all the crazy paths i've taken in my not-so-long life, it was rare and SO important to have someone constantly accepting my choices.
i have always been so incredibly proud of who my grandparents are and where they're from. incedentally or not, i was in poland, toasting baubie when she died. and for that, i am also proud. i'm proud that my love and admiration for her urged me to travel to where whe was from, despite my *utter* fear and hatred of flying.
every moment i've spent in poland has reminded me of the amazing heritage that i am so proud of.
people keep telling me "she lived a long life". this is true, i understand. but she didn't live long enough for me. if i had my way, she would be here to see me grow up, grow old and always be with me.
if i am ever a baubie, i hope that i can have half the affect on my my grandchildren that she had on me.
i also inherited her soft skin. any one who ever held her hand or touched her face knows how very soft her skin was. she always told me "my secret is vaseline". but i know that it's all in the genes. HOWEVER, like my baubie, i will never discontinue my moisturising routine.
i inherited her sense of individuality. when i see pictures of her in her twenties, she was unmarried (despite her parent's wishes), always posing creatively, dressed differently and always standing out. the first time i saw these pictures i realized where i came from.
but mostly, i inherited baubie's sense of pride. she encountered so many hardships in her life, and dedicated everything to take care of her husband. and given all of that, she never lost sense of pride or self. through her i saw a strong woman who did what was expected, all for her loved ones, but knew that she was so much more than that. she taught me to be proud of who i am, regardless of what others thought, yet without judging others. she urged me to do whatever i thought was right for me, regardless of what was expected. whether it was dying my hair a strange color or a career choice, she made it clear that she couldn't care less what i made of my life, as long as i was myself. given all the crazy paths i've taken in my not-so-long life, it was rare and SO important to have someone constantly accepting my choices.
i have always been so incredibly proud of who my grandparents are and where they're from. incedentally or not, i was in poland, toasting baubie when she died. and for that, i am also proud. i'm proud that my love and admiration for her urged me to travel to where whe was from, despite my *utter* fear and hatred of flying.
every moment i've spent in poland has reminded me of the amazing heritage that i am so proud of.
people keep telling me "she lived a long life". this is true, i understand. but she didn't live long enough for me. if i had my way, she would be here to see me grow up, grow old and always be with me.
if i am ever a baubie, i hope that i can have half the affect on my my grandchildren that she had on me.