Grammy

My grandma (Grammy) passed away this afternoon and in the process we lost an amazing lady who made one hell of a carrot cake. She was one tough cookie, and she always had a ton of fight in her, which she proved by living a tough but rich and rewarding life.

There is one story that I remember she used to tell me when I was younger and that she began to tell me with increasing frequency as she got older. It's not particularly funny or exciting, and it doesn't have a punch line, but that fact that she told me the story so often and with such vivid imagery and clarity makes me believe that this was one of the most memorable moments of her life.

Grammy and Poppy (my grandpa who passed away in 1997) were on one of their business trips in Europe for the business they owned. They used to travel around the world, finding trinkets and collectibles to sell at the business they owned, Oriental Imports. On this particular evening, they were in Monte Carlo, which is known to be a wealthly and glamorous city (something Grammy and Poppy were not), famous for its casinos. That evening, my grandparents got dressed up and Grammy was wearing a gown. They went to Le Grand Casino and climbed the marble steps at the front of the magnificent building. They entered a breathtaking room, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and plush red carpet. The casino was pulsating with excitement, and it was there that Grammy played roulette, one of her favorite pastimes, for the first time. The game captivated her, with its black and red spinning wheel and tiny white ball dancing around the rim. She won on one of the first spins, and after that she was hooked.

It's funny how random moments in life grab you, encouraging you to hold on forever. By the way Grammy told this story, I could tell that this was one of those moments for her. Tonight, I know that she's back in that casino with Poppy, eternally happy.