Today, I will talk about a diminutive woman. Only in stature.
My mother’s mother, my grandmother Bessie, has her yahrzeit today. She died on the 3rd day of Nissan. Here’s where it gets tricky. I own a document that indicates Bessie died in 1969. But, the Social Security Administration indicates she died in 1974.
My grandmother was barely five feet tall. At least if she had her socks on, she was. (My grandmother rarely wore high heels- her picture below from my bar mitzva was one such occasion.) Even though she was married to Sol, who initially towered at 6 feet, until he lost some 6 inches of height, as he suffered through Parkinson’s Disease.
My grandmother was born in Pinsk, now part of Poland (then clearly within the confines of the Litvak territory). On Rosh Chodesh Tevet (the first of Tevet), the 7th day of Chanuka. (Interestingly, my grandfather, her husband, was born on Chanuka as well. Many years earlier, though.)
While Bessie might have been short, she commandeered her household. And, for most of her life, she lived next door to her sister, Rae. And, both of their families co-mingled as one. So much so that my mother and her cousin Eddie considered each other twins, since they were born barely a day apart and grew up together.
My grandmother was clearly the person who taught my mother that all furniture must be enshrined in heavy plastic. Because there was not a sofa or a chair in her home that were not so entombed. And, my grandma expected me to sleep on that sofa, with just a sheet covering the upholstery cover, when I visited. Let me just say that uncomfortable was a step up.
But, I spent a lot of time in grandma’s (and grandpa’s) house. It’s where I developed my love of trains. (One of their abodes overlooked the great Pennsylvania Railroad yard. I would stare out the windows examining the commotion for hours.)
I learned to play marbles at yet another of their abodes. That was the game that prevailed when playing in the middle of the street (like I did at home) would mean certain death, with all the traffic in the area. So, marbles was the game played among the apartment building corridors.
I also remember that my mother always regretted having my grandmother over our house for more than a few hours. Because that would give Bessie enough time to rearrange our kitchen to her satisfaction. (Of course, my mom could never find a thing after that “home improvement”.)
Or, when she met my fiance and informed me (in front of all those assembled), “She’s very nice. A little zaftig, but nice.” (This is why I agree that Bessie might have died in 1974. I didn’t get engaged until 1972.)
Oh, and that sofa I slept on. I still own it. And cherish it.
Here’s to you, Besha bat Rav Avraham Ya’akov.
A lovely tribute! I’m so happy you still have the sofa! And you’ve apparently liberated it from its entombment. 😀
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You bet that I killed all the plastic wraps. (I just remembered- my folks even had that “82” gauge plastic on our car seats. So, we could be oh, so, comfortable on our trips. I still can here the “fwack’ sound I made when I got out of the car, Marian.)
This is so sweet. I’m glad you still have the couch, and it looks good too. If you got engaged in 72, I agree with you that she died in 1974 :-).
Yup. I’m 100% with you on that, Kemkem. And, the couch is now comfortable for my grandson to use as a nap place. (It’s a little too cramped for me.)
It sounds like your grandmother was a wonderful woman – lol I know all about family rearranging furniture to their liking!! Really interesting how there could be a 5 year gap between documents as to which year she died – I wonder why. Regardless though it’s the fond memories which keep her spirit alive and matter most 🙂
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I gave up wondering how that happened, Megan.
It’s how we all live through the ages- from the connections and impressions we make!
My paternal grandfather was from Pinsk. Although my grandparents did not have those plastic covers I remember them so well from the homes of friends. On a different note, it was so sobering to know that any relatives I still had there were most likely murdered by the Nazis. I owe my existence to this country.
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Yes, those that remained in Pinsk, Minsk- and the rest of Europe were butchered by the Nazis, with great help from the Poles, Austrians, and even the French.
What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother! The couch is lovely and I am glad that it is no longer covered in plastic.
I can’t believe how many folks entombed their fabric in that plastic. (Maybe that’s why Dustin Hoffman was told the future was in plastics!)
What wonderful memories of your grandmother! I’m sure you will cherish them as much as you cherish the beautiful sofa. Thanks for sharing, it brings back memories of my grandmother.
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Glad to engender those thoughts in you, Martha. (My brother said it reminded him of Aunt Rae, who he had forgotten over the decades.)
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Thanks so much, AnnMarie. I’m honored.