We will all be K.O. (A tribute to Grandma)

Grandma Pearl was a real class act.  Everyone loved her. 

When she passed away, all of our friends came to her funeral to show their support for our family, and they all said the same thing… “I’m so sorry for your loss…”  and they would start to choke up.  And they said “I know she’s your Grandma, but I loved her too.”  You see, she was everyone’s Grandma. 

Yesterday at her funeral, my mom, brother, cousin and I all got up to speak about her, and we all touched on the same theme:  Grandma Pearl always knew what you needed.  Grandma Pearl never let you leave empty handed.  Grandma Pearl touched everyone that she met.

Grandma Pearl always had a lot to say. 

When I pushed her wheelchair down the hall of the nursing home, she would brag “These are my grandchildren.  I have fifteen great-grandchildren!”

She would say, “I need new hips” or “The lady down the hall is meshugina” and instead of “OK” she would say “KO…KO.” 

Usually she said things like “Are you sure you don’t want any chocolate?  I have plenty of candy!  Here, I have some soda for you.  You want a cookie?  You sure you don’t want a cookie?  You sure?  Okay, how about a cracker then?”

But the only reason it would appear as though she were encouraging eating disorders was because she cared…about everyone.  She loved taking care of all of us.  She was a great listener.  She always had wise words to share.  And she enjoyed going places.

Just yesterday after the funeral, we pulled up to the burial site.  I was about to get out of the car but turned back to get a tissue.  Once again, Grandma knew just what I needed…for there in the consule was the last thing she ever gave me…a small box of tissues…because when I needed one, she handed me the whole box.  I wasn’t allowed to leave empty handed. 

I’ll never forget weekends at the Pines Hotel, summers at the Bungalos, endless summer afternoons in the pool at her Staten Island House, taking us to the circus, Chanukah parties with mountains of presents, sitting around chatting over coffee, Passover seders that sat 30, family reunions, Grandparents visiting day at School, attempting to teach me to cook, attempting to teach me to crochet, attempting to teach me to play mah jong, dancing at my wedding, watching her play pat-a-cake with Goofball at his first birthday– she was there for every event, big or small.  You could always count on Grandma. 

I don’t usually remember my dreams, but when I was pregnant I had some real vivid ones.  One dream I remember took place at the Bungalos.  We were all running around having fun and Grandma was sitting at a picnic table.  She thought she was alone, but Grandpa Harry was there.  In my dream, I was the only one who saw him there.  He was sitting right next to her with his head in his hand lovingly watching her….just like he never left her.

And now they are back together. 

It will all be good now, Grandma….because you can dance with Grandpa, and neither of you will need a wheelchair.

It will all be good now, Grandma, because you could play Volleyball in heaven, and you hips won’t hurt.

It will all be good now, Grandma, because you are back together with Grandpa. 

We will miss you dearly and our hearts are broken, but we will all be OK, because we know that you are in a better place.  We will all be OK.  We will all be KO.