Grandma

The world lost a very special woman yesterday. Born on March 23, 2011 (yes she was just 2 months shy of 100!), my grandmother was an extraordinary woman. Elfrieda was born in Hamburg, Germany, the daughter of August and Amanda Schmidt, younger sister to Ada. At 12 years old, her father had been killed in WWI, and she and her mother and sister moved to New Jersey. Knowing no English, she was placed in second grade but quickly moved up to sixth, with the highest grades in the class by 8th grade graduation (we even have her report cards!). She worked for AT&T for many years, played on a women's basketball team in New York City and married my grandfather, Joseph Calleja, on November 3, 1934. We had many many photos to go through, and they tell me that Grandma was a very glamorous lady! She and my grandfather traveled the world and had a wonderful family. I'm honored to have been able to call her my grandmother, and I think that all ladies should hope to always wear shoes as cute as hers ;-) Here are some pictures (pictures of pictures actually, I was too lazy to scan) to let you see the lovely lady.

Grandma, her father August and sister Ada

Black and white photos are just so cool!

Grandparents wedding photo, 1934

Grandma (on the right) and her friends, dressed up as guys

Me and Grandma, circa 1990

 Funny story. A few months ago, I was reading something.. I don't remember what or where, but a German word struck me, and I actually put a memo with it's definition in my phone. Gemutlichkeit (geh-mayt-luh-kite...???) means an attitude of acceptance, conviviality, and enjoyment of what are you doing and those you are with. Sitting at Grandma's last night with my family, I peeked into her old dictionary, and there were random words on pieces of paper scattered throughout the book. Lo and behold, there was gemutlichkeit, in her old fancy script! I couldn't believe it and made everyone make sure I wasn't crazy. But it was really my word, how weird is that? So I take that as Grandma's lesson to enjoy life and be happy wherever I am. I think if we all live with this word in mind, wouldn't we all be much happier?

Rest peacefully, Grandma, we'll all miss you <3