Growing up in the 80s there was a wave of child kidnappings that prompted a national trend of developing a family "safe word". If someone other than parents tried to pick you up, you were to ask them if they knew the family safe word. Our word was a phrase, white haired grandma.
This term was coined by sister Bejos who differentiated our grandmothers by their hair color. One grandmother had a head of jet black hair, while the other was a white hair.
We put my grandmother to rest this week, which took me on an unexpected trip to the frigid corners of Northern New York. It was, as expected, a sad event. But it was also an opportunity for the family to get together. All 11 children were there, as were more than half of the 25 grandchildren, and a fair number of the 21 great grandchildren. We shared our memories, a bucketful of tears, and a tour of the family home that is under construction for a long overdue remodel.
We will miss you grandma, and I will always associate you with my feeling of safety and family. I would have gone anywhere with you.
xoxo
