These are my letters to you

You will forever be my Busia and I will forever be your girl. You were more than a Polish grandmother, you were my role model, my friend.

You loved unconditionally, held no grudges, gave the best advice on love and marriage and forgiveness, listened when I was happy or sad or excited or confused, always asked questions and wanted to know about my life and wanting to make sure I was happy… you held me through everything from bruised knees to broken hearts. Thank you for holding on long enough so I could tell you all that you mean to me, so I could hold your hand again and kiss your cheek and sit with you and tell you how much you impacted my life.

You loved me fiercely and I will carry that with me every day and do my best to multiply all that you are. I will miss you more than you can possibly imagine. I already do.

These are my letters to you.

5 Years

What would I tell you about the last five years if you asked me? Dear Busia, this is my letter to you.

supposed to

a poem for the moments when the loss feels big and the love runs deep

with you

Dear Busia: I wish we could cook together and I could keep learning from you. I miss you immensely. Thank you for loving me so well and so big. Love, Your Girl

i listened

Dear Busia, I listened to you tonight. Backing up the files on my laptop I found you and one of our conversations that I just happened to audio record several years ago. You told me about the old house in Chicago, your dogs… the way you took care of me while I was really little,…

hold hands

On Saturday February 25, 2017, family and friends gathered to hold hands and celebrate the life of my amazing polish grandmother, whom many of us called Busia. I was honored and privileged to give the eulogy at her funeral. What follows are the words I shared, which only give a small glimpse into the immense love…