I just had to squeeze in one more special Taurus that's in my life. Here's my dear Meme, who's birthday is tomorrow. Like many people's grammies, I'm sure, I don't think I could ever express just how important she was to me as a child. I would spend all my summer vacations and breaks from school at her house, where I'd get completely pampered and adored and loved in the unconditional way that only grandparents can--lullabies at night until I was way too old for it, but still loved it; old movies together; lots of heart to hearts; and yard sailing every day. It is from her that I have a love of "old things"--we would spend our summer days together going from yard sale to antique shop--looking for the perfect tea cup, or new bavarian china piece (know many 8 year old's with a bavarian china collection? No wonder I was "odd" as a kid). She was FUN--I thought she was so glamorous and sophisticated, and we had secret names for each other. She was a calm loving support for me always--even when I didn't deserve it. In college I'd visit her often, with my shaved head, ratty-ass clothes (dude, it was the early 90's), my sassy political ideas, facial piercings and tattoo, and kinda, okay, really freaky boyfriends. And only once, ever, did she say, "I'll always love you but I just don't like you very much right now". LOL!! It was her own mother, Florence, who alone raised a family of 5 children in rural Maine, dirt poor during the depression, and supported them by doing beautiful work as a seamstress (all my aprons and many old linens are from her, and even the sewing table I use every day....damn, I'm sentimental).
Meme had a stroke a few years ago (on the same day that her husband had a heart attack and passed away...love?), so things are much different in her life right now. But I'm so grateful that my children are able to know her even just a little bit. Tomorrow, my mother and the boys and I are making the journey up the coast a few hours to give her a surprise visit. I can't wait to see her. And I do so hope that this third and last baby of ours is a girl so I can use my Meme's name (which ironically, she never liked!), Millie.
Happy Birthday, Meme!
