For Love of Nanny

Last weekend, I visited my father’s mother, who I call “Nanny.” Nanny is about the loveliest woman you will ever meet. She’s been a part of my life for a long time, and I really do love her dearly. Visiting her has reminded me of all the reasons why I admire her, so I decided to share this with you. This post is dedicated to her.

• Nanny loved to play all kinds of games.

I remember the times when my brother and I went to Nanny’s house and played games with her. One of the games we played was Skip-Bo. When it came to playing cards, Nanny was merciless. Never would she let up, even against a child. She would always come at us with her very best, and whenever she played her very best, she rarely lost. In hindsight, I don’t think I would have been satisfied if she’d acted any differently. I did like a challenge.

Besides Skip-Bo, Nanny also played poker. She was the one who taught us how to play Texas Hold ‘Em. I also remember the times when, staying the night at her house, we’d stay up late betting pennies at the table and eating pizza.

Later, we discovered that Nanny was going easy on us relative to how she played cards with her friends. See, whenever she had game night with her friends, they would play several card games at once. Each round, one of the players would choose a game, ranging from spades to poker to blackjack and others I cannot remember off the top of my head. My brother talked about how, one time, he had to substitute for Nanny while she had to answer the phone. The experience of shifting games and constantly learning new rules made his head spin. I frankly don’t blame him.

Nanny’s love of games could also be seen in her consistent participation in bingo night at the SPJST Lodge. Long before it became popular, she would buy a bunch of sheets, sit down, and begin playing, hoping to get five in a row. Of course, the little old lady playing bingo is sort of cliché in this day and age, but in the context of Nanny’s general love of fun competition, bingo night fit her like a glove.

• Nanny loved her community.

Connected to the above was Nanny’s dedication to helping out her community. She and my late grandfather, “Papa,” would often mix service and play in all kinds of situations. At the lodge, Papa would make popcorn for all of the people looking to play games, and the two of them would take part in meetings at the lodge to decide how best to help their community.

A major way Nanny helped her community was by singing at Church. Though she does not sing as often anymore, her singing voice has always been beautiful. I honestly think she’d have been a smash hit at the opera if she were given the chance. Her voice carried throughout the house without it sounding like shouting, and it sounded forth clearly and smoothly like a bell. One of the best performances I’ve ever heard was in a video recording of my parents’ wedding, where she was one of the lead singers. Perhaps my musical talents were inherited in part from her.

Nanny, like many in my family, is a devout Catholic. She loves the Church and prays all the time. She was an inspiration to us all. Singing was her special way of giving praise to God.

• Nanny is the most generous person I know.

Grandparents love spoiling their grandchildren, and Nanny is no exception. She loved showering us with expensive gifts every Christmas. These last few times, she gave me some very nice business casual clothes (although I haven’t had the chance to wear them for an interview yet!).

But besides this, Nanny was also generous in the way she prepared food. She’d always make dinners that allowed us to pile our plates with food. My brother especially loved her homemade gravy because it was the only kinds of gravy he could have due to his egg allergy. The feasts she’d host at her house solidified her in my mind as a giving, considerate woman. I truly love her for this, more than anything.

Nanny would also give anyone who asked a free haircut. She would cut my hair all the time back in the day, sure, but she wouldn’t just help her family. I remember her neighbors coming over to get haircuts from her, and she give them professional-looking haircuts for free. She’d even go over to the nursing homes and cut the residents’ hair. For all of this, I admire her.

Nanny will always occupy a special place in my heart. Though she’s sick now and unable to do a lot of the things she used to do, the same love is still exists in her. I just love her to pieces… I love her unconditionally.