Mom has been in the hospital for three days. She had a heart attack. She is 92 years young. Sylvia and I will be flying to Florida on Friday. I was up in the middle of the night and thinking about her. When I first got the call it seemed like she would be fine and I might wait a month or so to visit but now it seems like I am constantly wondering...is this her last breath? No, it can't be, she is going to get on her feet again.
This is my blog - celebrating my mom, Helen Margolis. Everyone will tell you, she is a remarkable woman. Everyone who meets her loves her. She is one of the great New York Jewish Grandmothers (NYJG's). She was born in New York, and has traveled in many parts of the country and in the world, but she is always and unmistakenly a Jewish woman from New York.
My mom has a reputation...actually she has many reputations(I'll let you all post to the blog with your own Helenisms). She is famous for going on a plane or train and the person sitting next to her will inevitably be part of mom's address book. Over the many years she has been out here visiting us, she has become very friendly with many of our friends. "Our friend Helen" was Tom's phrase to help me step back from some of the difficult mother-son conflicts. Everyone else who met mom thought she was great, really engaging, and a delight. Why would I have any reason to be annoyed with her? Just take a breath and...repeat...Our friend Helen, Our friend Helen.
I hope you will add your own thoughts, stories, pictures, or just enjoy the posts.
6 comments:
Its hard for to beat that Charlie, but she is and always wil be "Ours anr your friend Helen". There is no better mom and or even better what a fantasic Grandmother we all wish we would have in our life. She is always there for eveyone at all times! Go Helen, Go Helen, Go Helen. Can't you hear them at Husky stadium shouting that!
As one of her oldest grandchildren, and her oldest grandaughter, I have so many wonderful memories of her. I love just being with her, she is such a great lady and all of her silly quirks are so special and unique to her. My children love her, and my older son speaks of her regularly. As her great grandmother, she gets the special title from him as "grama grama". He proudly wears all the winter hats that she has knit for him, and plays with the clowns that she made for him.
Everyone asks me about my grama, and never, ever believe that she is the age that she is. She doesn't act it, or look it. She is so special and I love her with all my heart. We are also going to see her on Saturday and can't wait to hug her.
we also can never forget "oh oh oh" I think we all inherited that darn catchy phrase!!
i never had a jewish grandmother of my own until helen. charlie didn't mind sharing. every time helen came out to the pacific northwest, she made a point of calling and saying, "how ya doing, doll?" from helen i learned to make mandelbrot, a jewish form of biscotti, and was thus inducted into the mandelbrot brotherhood/sisterhood. on each of her visits i was also updated about century city, where all good jewish folk go to retire, and the latest goings-on of sister lil and the rest of the clan. i also got to hear about the old folks that helen was helping to take care of!
thinking of you, helen, charlie, and family.
charlotte
Grandma Helen has been a part of our lives for 18 years now. She refers to us as "the family Gentiles." Helen has always made Tom, Meagan, James and I feel like we really ARE part of the family. From crazy yran slippers for the kids to Honey Bells during the holidays. She and my mother would sit in Charlie and Syl's house or front yard, watching over "their grandchildren." What a woman!
Mom was a remarkable woman. I see her every morning when I look at the photo of Ellie, Abbie, Mom and I at David and Carrie's laughing hysterically at Carrie's antics. Mom taught us all how to live life to the fullest and always be a "greatful receiver". We will not so much mourn her passing as we will celebrate her life. I will miss her terribly;but, have so many wonderful memories. Mom wrote her biography which my eldest, son, Barry is in the midst of typing it to make copies for us all. It is a monumental task and will take some time; but, it will be done.
I wear the necklace that has my grandchildren's charms on it that was once worn by Helen with all of her great-grandchildren on it.
She was one remarkable woman !
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