I Am from a Line of Strong Women

Many years have passed since you left us; I've since learned that twelve is early to experience death. You were the only grandparent I had; during my young years you were my main caregiver. I now know how blessed I was to have three adults all to myself; a lot of people would think I was over-parented, but now that I've seen how some friends grew up, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

How much misery there is out there, how much neglect and pain. Our lives were so happy, and, dare I say it...normal. When you became ill, no one thought to hide it from me; mom and dad explained that you were tired, you'd been with us and taken care of us for a long time, and you needed to move on, to be rejuvenated.

Other people had more grandparents, bigger families, but none had a Nanny as special as mine. A friend and protector, who was always waiting for me when I came home from school. Because you were there for us, it never occurred to me that some people think mothers don't work outside the home -- you had worked, during your younger years in London, as a dressmaker, and mom worked as well. Now, in your later years, you were my first teacher and helper. It formed my opinions that would become important to me in my formative years.

I knew I came from a long line of strong women, women who made their own lives and followed their dreams...even across the world. Brave, independent women who loved life and their part in it. Pam was the one child I remember with sadness from those years. You knew; you always said, "there's something wrong with that child...something wrong in that family". She was so mean, so unhappy; she stole our things and hit everyone...it wasn't until I was an adult that I learned she came from an abusive family, and her father was always beating her. I wish we'd known then as much as we do now, about child abuse...you were the only one who saw that situation clearly.

Mom and Dad are with you now, and I feel you all watching me. I hope you like this letter...

Love, Debora