The story of my step-grandma is long, and complicated. She was my mom's best friend in high school, the maid of honor in her wedding, and eventually the second wife of my much older grandfather. Although not a blood relative, she was generous and supportive and we considered her a member of our family. This morning I got a call that she had died, from my grandfather's best friend's daughter who is the executrix of her estate. I was the first call, so I've had to deal with many notifications, including my parents, her closest relatives. My mom calls Poochie every Saturday, and we had just sent her cards for her 88th birthday on January 27th. It was unexpectedly expected, if that makes any sense. I can't remember a time when she wasn't in my life, thus it's hard to process this. I'm not shocked, but it seems like reality has shifted. Again.
My mom is the bride, Poochie is standing next to her, and the flower girl (Cecilia) is the executrix, who is now flying up from Arizona tomorrow morning. I'm relieved that I'm only the first call, and don't have to be driving over a mountain pass in the winter to deal with Poochie's estate. I did offer to help Cecilia if she needs me though. (I'm hoping she doesn't)
By the way, her real name was Lorraine, but no one in their small town called her that. Nicknames were very common there; no one from Cle Elum or Roslyn calls my dad Donald. He is Skip, and his friends growing up were Mulehouse, Coke, and Bozo. I think most of them were actually named George.
Since Ashley loves that area, we drove over there in January 2020 and 2019. Poochie enjoyed going out to lunch with us, then visiting the cemetery (the family mausoleum) and driving by houses where our relatives used to live. There is so much history in those towns, and many memories for me since both sets of grandparents lived there.
We always get our photo taken with the iconic Roslyn Cafe mural in the background. Northern Exposure anyone?
Poochie took Ashley's arm to help keep her balance the last time we saw her. She was very frail and unsteady, and was touchingly happy to have us with her. I wish there had been more times together and other visits. This d*mn pandemic.
