Flying Home

I went back home to Washington on Saturday, February 7th - the day after my Nanny passed away. My good friend, Denise, picked me up at the airport and I stayed with her my first night. We stayed up until 1:30 am (2:30 my time!) just talking and catching up on life. Denise and I have been friends since high school- it was great to see her! She was a terrific hostess and treated me to brunch at one of my favorite resturants on the Kirkland waterfront - Anthony's Homeport. Yum! Then, I stayed with my sister the next few nights. It was so good to see her and her family! The boys have grown so big! My brother and his family came over and I got to see them and spend time chatting with them as well. His girls have gotten so tall! Three years is a long time not to see your nieces and nephews! I wish I could come visit more often. As usual, my sister spoiled me rotten with her fabulous cooking! She knows how much I love seafood and made a delicious seafood pasta dish.

The Viewing made Nanny's death a reality for me. I have never been to a Viewing before and wasn't sure what to expect. It was just my immediate family that went together, others came before and after us. As I stepped into the room following my parents, I suddenly lost control of my emotions. My mom fell apart and that made my heart ache even more to see her crying so hard. I went to Nanny and whispered once more I loved her. She looked so pretty and peaceful. The drive back to my sisters was difficult - I couldn't seem to stop crying. The harder I tried to pull it together, the worse I got.

The next day was the funeral at St. Spiridon Orthodox Catherdral in downtown Seattle. My grandma was a Russian Orthodox Christian. (Not sure how many of you know I'm part Russian). The service was nice, but very different from what I'm used to. It was very ritualistic, so I spent my energy trying to follow what the priest was saying and not focussing on her passing. As my mind would drift to flashbacks of time spent with her, my eyes would well with tears. Then the priest stopped his portion and began to talk about Nanny as a person and addressed our family directly. I think every single family member "lost it" at that point. Thank goodness Karen had lots of tissues! Afterwards a private commmittal was at Evergreen Memorial and then we all went to my cousin, Tracy and Karen's house for a traditional Russian dinner called Piroke. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with my extended family, some whom I haven't seen in 8 years!! I really miss them. A celebration of Nanny's life is being planned in a few months. I really hope our whole family can fly up to Washington for this...just not sure how yet.

I stayed at the Ranch in Cle Elum with my parents the remainder of my trip. My parents live on 12 acres with two horses. Spending time with them was great! They treated me to a western concert in Ellensburg and made the most incredible Valentine's Dinner! We had barbequed prime cut filets, rebaked potatoes, asparagus, incredible salad, and for dessert, tiramisu. Wow! My mouth is still watering! The steaks were so tender and juicy, you could cut them with your fork! My parents are coming down to Arizona next month, so it made saying goodbye slightly easier, but we still cried at the airport. We're just an emotional family!

Tribute To Nanny 1910-2009

My grandmother (Nanny) went home to be with Jesus Friday, February 6, 2009 in Seattle. We knew this day would come, but it didn't make it any easier when that call came in. Nanny suffered a massive heart attack on January 5th. The doctors said she probably wouldn't make it through the night. Well, she actually made it through 30 more nights with only 10% of her heart working! She's a strong women, and as she would say, "I come from good stalk!"

Words can't begin to describe what a wonderful person she was. She was a godly women, strong in her faith, and she always put other people's needs before her own. When I would visit her, I never left empty handed - she ALWAYS found something to give me. She was a giver and it gave her great pleasure to send ya out the door with this or that... and a few cookies! Nanny loved to tell stories of her days in Alaska. We would sit and drink tea and I'd just listen to her talk. The last time I saw her, I video tapped her telling a story of catching a salmon with her bare hands! Like I said, she was incredible. Nanny was married to my grandpa (PoPo) for 63 years. You sure don't hear that now-a-days! She stood by her man through thick and thin and set an example for her legacy to follow. I am truly honored to be her granddaughter and I will miss her something terrible. However, I'm comforted in the fact she knew Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and I WILL see her again one day. Bye Nanny.... I love you so much!