Cait
Barbara "Nana" Lewis passed away in her sleep last Tuesday at the age of 95. She truly got everything she wanted out of life. She had a huge hand in raising me and taking care of me throughout my childhood. She was the best grandmother a kid could ask for. She was the stereotypical Grandma homemaker. She played bingo and went to church every week, always had tissues, Werther's, and zero sugar chewing gum stuffed in her coat pockets, played cards with her girlfriends whenever she could, went on cruises to tropical destinations, always had a yummy meal and/or baked goods ready to eat whenever someone dropped by, and was so "devoted" to her family that some might have seen her as overbearing (especially her family 😅). I would compare her to Marie from Everybody Loves Raymond.
She had so many good friends over the years and was somewhat of a local celebrity to my friends and teammates during my school years. Everyone knew Nana had arrived when they saw that fuzzy, afro-looking, winter hat walk through the door.
Of course we bickered constantly, (especially when I was a preteen) but she never failed to show up when I needed her and went above and beyond her grandma duties when taking care of me. I am so grateful that I was able to care for her during her last several years of life. Being taken care of by her family at the end was her main goal, and I am so happy we were able to make that happen.
Unfortunately, due to immobility, she spent her last 2 months in the hospital. But that small dark cloud is completely outshined by her full, love and fun-filled life and the last almost 20 years she lived with my parents and me. She got to spend almost 2 years with her first great grandchild. Although my daughter, Maray, would make it her job to terrorize Nana every day, I could tell it ultimately gave her life some of the purpose that she had lost over the years while battling with dementia. She started talking more and seemed more lucid and engaged during the day, desperately wishing she could take care of her just like she took care of me.
I will miss her off-key singing and humming of those old ice cream shop and big band tunes, her homemade poppyseed bread and chicken noodle soup, her embarrassing (kinda cute) vanity and compliment fishing, and even her sideways comments that made you pause for a moment, wondering if she was covertly insulting you or truly meant well.
Thank you Nana...not only for taking exceptional care of me but also for being such a grandmotherly grandmother to where I can fondly look back on our time and memories together and feel nothing but overwhelming care and love. Every child deserves to have a Nana like you, and I'm so happy that I was able to call you mine.
He called you home and I hope you are looking down from the heavenly kingdom feeling fulfilled and at peace with your life lived. Know that I am looking up thanking you for influencing me to become the woman and mother I am today. Rest easy Nana, you deserve nothing less. I love you so much. 💕