More summering

It’s less heavy now.

July 14

8th grade: We had a mass for dad. It was nice

We would have masses in people’s homes, bringing in a local priest. Seems weird, maybe it was. I remember my brother and I did readings (my sister was still in Colombia). I couldn’t pronounce “Ecclesiastes” and just looked at the priest like “Dude, you have to help a girl out”.

July 18

7th grade: We took off to [new state]. I’m going to miss [old city]

A rare 7th grade, going into 8th grade entry. Moving to a new state, a year after losing my dad, is a tough transition. I need to write more on this and talk about this, though I have made mention of it. I was hopeful at this time, which makes me happy to think about.

My family had made this trek before, back and forth. It was different this time as it was final. My brother had left earlier so he could work. My sister left a boyfriend behind and was upset, she was starting her junior year of high school at a new school. Changing schools is not the end of the world, but like experiencing grief at a young age it has an impact. I don’t have memories of childhood where I am now, my friends don’t know what I know from my old state. On the plus side I feel like I knew state geography better.

July 22

10th grade: Nana died, 67, she had been really sick.

67! To a teenager that is old. She also looked old, people did back then. Now I think how young that was. My grandmother, my dad’s mom, was a wonderful woman. She worked in the hospital where I was born and visited me right away. As I kid I told the story that my nana took my mom out to lunch right after she gave birth to me! Not quite. My grandmother was smart and funny, more than she was given credit for. She loved crossword puzzles and crocheting. I still have a blank she made. She was the only grandmother that I had as my other one died before I was born. When I think of grandmothers I think of her love. She set the bar. Also, I think the name “Nana” as opposed to “Gram” or “Grandma” is heartwarming. Just me. It had to have been hard on her to have outlived her son, I am sure that contributed to her (and eventually my grandfather’s) early death.

A little heavy but not bad. Hug your nana, grandma, Grammy or whoever makes your heart happy.