LucyRicardo member for 20 weeks 6 days Send a message

Just yesterday I wrote about one grandparent. Today I lost my last grandparent.

Herbie, my mom's dad, passed away this morning. It was definitely time; he had been ill and in so much pain for a long time. But of course, I miss him and wish he were still here.

Losing Herbie brings an extra sorrow that losing my other grandparents didn't. You see, he was the last one. As of this morning I feel a little orphaned. I'm not trying to be dramatic; I just had 4 great people in my life for a really long time and each time I lose one it makes me miss all the others again and more.

I was and still am so lucky. I didn't lose my first grandparent until I was 21, the 2nd 4 years later. Then it was almost 10 years before I lost the 3rd. And now a little over 2 years later, the 4th.

Many of my friends never knew their grandparents. I not only knew mine, but I got to know them as an adult. I really appreciated who they were and what they meant to my life.

My Pa-Pa (my dad's dad) was the old-fashioned gentleman. He wore a hat every time he left the house, had his own frame shop and was so kind to everyone but especially children. He was a little bit like the Pied Piper. Children just flocked to him at the grocery store, church, out to eat--they knew he loved them and they loved him back.

My Ma-Ma (dad's mom) was what you picture when you think grandma. She sewed, she cooked--man, did she cook! Amazing chicken and dumplins, Italian Creme Cake--all comfort food and all AMAZING!

Nannie and Herbie (my mom's parents) were the "cool" grandparents. They traveled the world, they saw lots of the shows I was in (even the ones where I played hookers and said bad words!) They came to visit me while I was living in LA and hung out with me and my friends one night. It just happened to be St. Patrick's Day and the bar was serving green beer. The next day all my friends said how cool my grandparents were drinking green beer with all of us! I lived with Nannie and Herbie for about a year after I got out of college. I'm extra-grateful for that time now.

Today I am sad for me, my mom, my whole family. But even in the sadness, I'm happy--I was and am so lucky! I had 4 amazing people in my life and even though they are gone, I will carry them with me forever.