Today my grandmother Apolonia passed away. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her suite at my parents' home where she was surrounded by loving family.
Apolonia was a great woman, and deserved the best in her final days. That is exactly what she got, the royal treatment. My mother, father and aunt all behaved like angels in the last years of Apolonia's life. They brought her over from Poland when my grandfather died, just before my wedding. My parents gave her their first floor master suite and moved themselves up to a bedroom on the second floor. For three years, they took care of her day and night all by themselves. Their empty nester life literally turned upside down, yet they never complained about it. Apolonia was the mothership of our family. Without her, none of us would be here nor would we be the same. Her strong and stubborn and endearing character molded us into what we have become.
As I embark on a new chapter of my life, I wonder if my child would do the same. I hope I will do the same as well.
A religious woman, Apolonia went to church every single day until she moved to America. In the U.S. she prayed all day long by watching mass on TV, listening to Polish Catholic radio, and reciting the rosary. She ALWAYS prayed for me in my life's crossroads as well: to get into grad school (check), to get married (check) and now to have a baby (almost there). She knew I was expecting, and I believe she will continue to pray for us and this little baby as our guardian angel from heaven.
I can't wait to preserve her legacy by recounting hundreds of amazing stories about Apolonia and our family.
Until then, I love you Babcia Pola. May you rest in peace.
Apolonia was a great woman, and deserved the best in her final days. That is exactly what she got, the royal treatment. My mother, father and aunt all behaved like angels in the last years of Apolonia's life. They brought her over from Poland when my grandfather died, just before my wedding. My parents gave her their first floor master suite and moved themselves up to a bedroom on the second floor. For three years, they took care of her day and night all by themselves. Their empty nester life literally turned upside down, yet they never complained about it. Apolonia was the mothership of our family. Without her, none of us would be here nor would we be the same. Her strong and stubborn and endearing character molded us into what we have become.
As I embark on a new chapter of my life, I wonder if my child would do the same. I hope I will do the same as well.
A religious woman, Apolonia went to church every single day until she moved to America. In the U.S. she prayed all day long by watching mass on TV, listening to Polish Catholic radio, and reciting the rosary. She ALWAYS prayed for me in my life's crossroads as well: to get into grad school (check), to get married (check) and now to have a baby (almost there). She knew I was expecting, and I believe she will continue to pray for us and this little baby as our guardian angel from heaven.
I can't wait to preserve her legacy by recounting hundreds of amazing stories about Apolonia and our family.
Until then, I love you Babcia Pola. May you rest in peace.
One of my favorite photos ever. My mom, her sister, my sister, my cousin and my nieces with the Matriarch herself, Babcia Apolonia, at my bridal shower in 2010.
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