Another long trip is in the books as I sit in Mama’s kitchen enjoying coffee with her at the beginning of our day. Covid travel is tricky, but brings much more peace of mind than boarding an airplane full of strangers. So I am on my laptop and mama sits reading her friend’s obituary in the paper today. One of Babcia’s very best friends passed away this past week. I know it’s hard for her, whether she talks about it much or not. Babcia and Miss Jean go back about forty years. They met working at a department store together and a wonderful friendship began there.

Babcia met Jean at Heck’s Department Store. They became friends at work, which then spilled over into their personal lives. Jean lived in the house on the corner right next to Heck’s, which was about a block from our house. They hit it off, and spent a lot of time talking over coffee, laughing, and watching each other’s children and grandchildren grow up. Sometimes when Babcia didn’t have a sitter for my brother and I, she’d send us over to Jean’s house and we would play until she got off work (when we were younger). Jean was a sweet, kind, loving soul. She tried to care for everyone around her. I’ll never forget a few Christmases and Easters when my dad was out of work and times were tough; Miss Jean would show up with Easter baskets or Christmas presents for my brother and I. One particular Christmas stands out to me, when I got a beautiful bride doll that I’d wanted from Miss Jean. She always thought of us, even in the midst of taking care of her own family.

Jean knew loss in her life. During her lifetime, she lost her husband, a son, and a daughter. I know this took it’s toll on her, yet you’d never know it. She carried on, loving those around her with her big heart and even bigger smile. She always had an easy tone, a smile for you, and a kind word. Even so, she and Babcia had their adventures. There was a time when they would go visit a gypsy fortune teller together, just to see what the world had in store for them yet. Every Christmas Eve, we could count on Jean and her daughter Sherri showing up to visit, sometimes with Sherri’s daughters. The house would be filled with smiles and laughter, as everyone enjoyed each other’s company. These are memories I will cherish always. What a testament to lifetime friendship these two are.

Babcia is at an age where unfortunately this isn’t an uncommon situation. She looks at the obituaries daily to see if she knows anyone. This is why we wear our masks. This is why we don’t hug. This is why we practice safe social distancing. We still need her here. Her great grandson needs her here; he has yet to learn about the magic of having a Babcia. Her granddaughters need her here, they both adore her. Her family and friends need her here. I need her here. I still feel that I have so much to learn from my mama. These days I try to listen more than I talk, and to commit stories to memory. A lifetime is full of so much life, and yet is such a short time. There is so much more story to be told. And this lady we all revere and love shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Thank goodness. Here’s to the story. Na zdrowie!