A few weeks ago, I received a much dreaded phone call from my sister, informing me that my precious Oma ("grandmother" in German) had left this world. Though heartbroken, the realization quickly set upon me that it was time for her to go. To be set free from the physical burdens her 86 year old body had brought her and the mental strain that had been present for quite some time. Oma left quite a legacy: Her 5 daughters; the Kaczmarek sisters...who in turn married men, who then gave them children, who then have married (some not all yet), who are now having children (some not all yet). As simple as the story of life goes, I was taken aback at what Oma had given me: The sense of what family is...the power of love that just 2 people can create...the deeply rooted meaning of kinship. I realized, while speaking at her memorial service, of all times, that Oma is the reason why I LOVE my family with the deep passion and persistence that I do. She started it...she built a family based around Love and Togetherness and now it is deeply integrated into our familial system that will not be taken away...ever. Besides the many valuable lessons that Oma taught me throughout the years, this one will hold precedence over all. So I thank her and praise Jesus for giving me such a woman to admire.
Our family is still working through the loss of Oma. And though her earthly body may be gone, I rest assured that she is living a vigorously joyful eternity in heaven....embracing the peace, the absence of pain and PURE happiness or Our Creator promises heaven will bring.
What Oma loved most: Being in her chair, a crossword puzzle in hand, candy near by, with the TV blaring in the back ground:
She's always been a little whipper-snapper. This photo of Oma was taken about 80ish years ago.
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