Our beloved Meem passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 25th.
To the boys she was MeMe, their loving great grandma, who snuck them $5 bills, gum, and cookies. They had long phone conversations where they made her laugh. She looked forward to their photos in the mail. She cherished her Christmas mornings spent here watching her little boys tear open their presents just as she had all those Christmas' of my youth.
To me, she was my Meem. The woman who shaped me into the person I am today. My grandmother who never quite fit the mold of those Hallmark grandmas.
There is hardly a fun childhood memory of mine that doesn't include her and my Pop. We were their life and they were ours. Friday night sleepovers, summers at the campground, fishing, roadtrips, parades, picnics and outings. My memory is filled with the fun, laughter and chaos.
Meem was larger than life to me. She didn't bake cookies or cakes, or cook up a storm. She didn't knit or sew or do those other "grandmotherly" things. What I remember of her cooking was spaghetti and Ragu sauce that I thought was the best and her pre-mixed pourable pancakes on the griddle at the campground. Oh she could roast a mean marshmellow over the campfire and sneak in onions to my Pop's dinner which would then not agree with him!
She always said what she felt, she told you what she thought even if you didn't like it. She was never afraid to express her opinion or stand up for herself. I am grateful for that. Watching her gave me the strength to speak my mind and to stand up for what I believe. She was never concerned over pleasing everyone or making sure everyone was her friend. If you didn't like her or didn't want to hear what she had to say, then dont waste her time. She was loud and spirited especially in regards to her sports and mainly the Eagles and the Phillies. I always remember Pop telling her to stop talking like a truck driver!
She taught me a great deal about being a wife. Her love and devotion towards my grandfather was always evident. You could tell that they were soulmates and that they genuinely enjoyed each other's company. They laughed alot together even when they disagreed. She taught me that being a good wife didn't mean you had to be good at housework or have an immaculate house and you didn't have to be an amazing chef either. But you needed to enjoy your life together and enjoy each other.
She talked to me alot about motherhood and how she felt she could have done better, she never gave herself a whole lot of credit in regards to her mothering, even though I am sure my mom would disagree. She knew she was tough and she always said, God only gave me the child I knew I could handle. I love her for her honesty. But I love that her and my mom always had a close and loving relationship.
She taught me about friendship. She had many friends from life, school, Bell Pioneers, church and her clubs. None more so than those I called "Aunt". The group of ladies we liked to call the Golden Girls. They had so much fun together, picnics, cookouts, parties and lots of card playing around Aunt Mil's table. You could always walk in and find them either laughing or accusing each other of cheating. Meem was very competitive and a sore loser as she would admit! But that is what was fun about the girls. They lived life to the fullest and always had each others backs. Meem had been the last of them left for along time and I know it left a big void in her heart. I am sure heaven is in chaos with that crew up there now!
Meem also taught me about doing for others. She taught me this by her actions not her speech. She did for so many whether it was helping at every church function or driving elderly neighbors to doctors appointments or to shop. She helped my Pop in all his endeavors with the Shriners. She took charge of the Hug-A-Bears through her Pioneers group, her third floor with filled with material for making those bears (which were given to first responders to give to children at scenes of accidents or fires). That was her baby and she worked so hard at all. She did so much for so many but never would talk much about it. She always did for the right reasons.
I am going to miss our spirited political debates, our chats about the boys, our little take out dinners, our discussions about the most recent Modern Family episode or NCIS. I am going to miss her so much as baseball season starts and the Phillies take the field. But I know she has the best seat in the house and hopefully can pull some strings up there and bring us another championship!
There is a big hole in my heart knowing I can't pick up the phone and call her and just check in. But I take great comfort in knowing her and Pop are together, holding hands, laughing and smiling down on us. I hope we can remember to give them lots of reasons to smile!
I know she is at peace and is where she wanted to be, especially after her health struggles the past couple months. She did things her way. I love her and respect her tremendously. I am so grateful she was able to gather up the energy to be with us this past Christmas. That tradition means the world to Kevin and I and to Alek and Maks. It has been a rough few days and Alek did put it best when he told me, "I can't believe I have to live the second half of my life without MeMe". I feel the same buddy, I feel the same.
I know you are resting peacefully Meem and I know you are where you wanted to be, back with Pop and all the girls. We just really miss you alot here, but thank you for everything, for being a huge part of my amazing childhood and for playing a huge role in molding me into the woman I am today.
You are forever in my heart.
"Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, far as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the heart."
Wait-wasn't this just yesterday?
8 and still loves the cake!
Alek--at 8 you are just as active as ever, though you do sit still alot better for homework, movies, meals!! You are still long and lean at 52.75 inches tall, 59 pounds. Your feet need to slow down. I cannot believe I just bought you a size 5 sneaker!! Your growing flippers like daddy!
Your favorite things are: basketball, baseball, playing outside with your friends, training for the triathlon, reading books (especially Diary of Whimpy Kid and Magic Treehouse Series at the moment). Your favorite stores are Barnes and Noble and Gamestop. You love playing Wii with your brother. You love drawing, dancing, and journaling. 
You are a fun kid to be around, you are sweet and kind (well maybe not always kind to your brother, but that's what brothers are for!), you are active, busy and silly. You make us laugh, you stress us out, but we couldn't be any more proud of you and we couldn't love you anymore than we do. We are proud of your hardwork at school and at how much you love reading. We love that you are never afraid to try something new or jump into a new situation without a second thought. You are an amazing kiddo.
We are glad we were able to have a fun little family party and celebrate your gr8tness!! I know you had a blast running around with your cousins and the girls. I know you loved your Phillies cake too, that was an extra special treat. 
We are glad we were able to have a fun little family party and celebrate your gr8tness!! I know you had a blast running around with your cousins and the girls. I know you loved your Phillies cake too, that was an extra special treat. 
