Over the years I lost touch with my grandma. I guess life just got in the way. I am regretful that I didn't talk to her more often on the phone or go see her on weekends. I am not sad that my grandmother passed away, I know that she lived a very long and very full life. My family is incredibly lucky to have had her in our lives for so long. I am more sad that I didn't get a chance to know my grandmother more intimately in my adult life. I am sad that I didn't get a chance to show my grandmother who I am and who I have grown up to be. I know that my love of sunshine and reading I inherited from her. My independence and strong will is also a part of her. And though grandma is no longer with us physically she is still a part of my family in all of our hearts.
Below is a chronology my Uncle Rudolph wrote of the incredible life of my grandmother, Else Milfort.
- Else's earliest memories as a 5year in her birth town of Diedenhofen, Germany, were vivid. It was a small town in the Alsace region - a disputed area with France. Memories included fear, hunger and the sights and fearsome sounds of a raging WW I.
- The family moved to and Else worked in Berlin as a teacher. Her two brothers pre-deceased her by more than 60 years.... the younger brother during WW II as a German Luftwaffe pilot, whose body was never recovered.
- Else's last employment in Germany was as a governess to 2 children of a Jewish family. Thus began her movements away from her native country. First, accompanying the children out of Germany, to re-unite them with their parents in Czechoslovakia where they had escaped to earlier; then to Amsterdam with the family, and finally, with the family, to the Dominican Republic. She met her husband Marcel there, fell in love and married, and yet another transition of her life began.
- Their lives moved several times between the Dominican Republic and Haiti on that 2 country island of Hispaniola, with each of the two pairs of the boy/girl sets of children born in each of the two countries.........Marcel and Evelyne in the Dominican Republic and Rudolph and Sonia in Haiti.
- Else's transitional life once again was destined for change, when in 1949 she moved to the United States - traveling with 4 children in tow, to join her husband who had come here 3years earlier, to work, send money back to Haiti,and save enough to send for her and the children.
- Else and Marcel successfully nurtured, raised and educated their 4 children. All this during an era that was very different from the world we live in today. Her strength, commitment, devotion and love for her family are to be marveled at, acknowledged and appreciated.
- The next transition came 35 years ago in 1975, when her husband Marcel passed away. She accepted that loss with the same strength she had displayed her entire life. She found renewed happiness in other things that brought her joy. The simplicity of sitting in the sunshine - which she truly loved. Her love for Opera and especially her all time favorite performer Placido Domingo -- whose collection of autographed books and photographs, secured at live performances, was truly cherished. She was able to travel on several occasions with her daughters, back to Haiti and Germany.
- Else's next transition, at age 96, came 41/2 years ago when she moved into Fairview in Groton. At that age she acknowledged that she could use a little help in her daily life. The care, respect and understanding that the staff provided allowed her to thrive at her age, and enjoy those simple things that continued to bring her joy.
- Today we honor the memory of this extraordinary woman, wife, and mother whose strength, love, devotion, and independence were lived on a daily basis throughout her entire life. All who knew her were enriched by her.
Wonderful
ReplyDeleteOh Melissa, I have tears in my eyes! I know what you mean about the way Grandma slipped you money. Mine used to make a loaf of pumpkin bread for me when I came to visit from college. She'd wrap the bread in plastic wrap, then fold $20 up and stick it to the bottom, then wrap it in foil. She'd hand it to me and say "Shhh, there's something in there for you, but dont tell your Grandfather". Little did she know, Grandpa was slipping me money too, and I never let on to either of them what was going on until after Grandpa passed away. I'm sorry your Grandma passed away, but as strange as this sounds, I'm glad I was there Wednesday. Your family is such a wonderful, beautiful group of people, and I'm so glad that our family has had the priveledge of being friends with yours. Love you!
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