Bubbe

My grandmother Estelle was an incredible woman, with a zest for life, the biggest laugh, kindness for miles, and a door always open and a fridge always full. In the later years of her life her primary focus was caring for my grandfather Joseph, who suffered from a form of dementia that left him mostly unable to speak. They lived upstairs from my aunt and uncle, in a tiny attic apartment. That home was a gathering place for other aunts, uncles and cousins, raucous afternoons and evenings of storytelling, some from the “old countries” of Russia and Poland, laughter, and, yes, the occasional very loud arguments. Grandma’s attic apartment was a refuge for me during times when being in my own home a few blocks away was dangerous.

My grandmother Rose was a meticulous and strong woman, mostly blind, who devoted a lot of time to Hadassah, a Jewish women’s volunteer organization supporting Israel. Grandpa Sam worked as a messenger in Manhattan and was an oil painter by hobby. They were originally from Romania and for much of my childhood they lived in the Bronx. On Sundays my father Herbie would drive from Rockaway where we lived, pick them up, drive them to our house, take us all to dinner at the Sherwood Diner, and then drive my grandparents back to the Bronx. I often drove with him both ways. Grandma Rose loved when I sang and would often encourage me to sing her favorite numbers, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” or something from Fiddler on the Roof or Hello Dolly. It was never hard to convince me to sing for her.

I was truly blessed to have both sets of grandparents very present in my life during my childhood. They all had a huge influence on how I view the world. I lost Grandma Estelle to leukemia when I was a teenager and for years did volunteer work for the United Leukemia Fund in her memory. Grandpa Joseph was gone shortly after that. Grandpa Sam soon after that and we lost Grandma Rose when I was in my 20s. I miss them.

They all come to mind right now because my sister, Arlene, just became a grandmother, and I just became a great uncle. Parker Joseph continues the story for Estelle, Joseph, Sam and Rose and so many others. While I won’t have the privilege of living close by I hope to be able to be as memorable to him as all of my uncles and aunts were to me.

What I’m most excited about is my wonderful sister getting a new title, whether it is Bubbe, Grandma, Grannie or to whatever little Parker gravitates. I was kvelling (Yiddish for feeling happy and proud) when I watched a video of Arlene rocking Parker in her arms and cooing to him as his eyes locked on her. So sweet. My brother-in-law Mark will also make a terrific grandfather. I can picture him teaching Parker about his beautiful woodwork or taking him fishing.

The day you’re reading this I’m turning 65, yay Medicare! We’re less than 100 days away from an election that will, whoever wins, have a huge impact on Parker. His parents, grandparents, great grandparents and beyond helped build today’s world, the good and the bad. When I think of the Eastern Europe my grandparents left behind, with rabid antisemitism, pogroms and poverty, I’m grateful that Parker got to be born in the United States.

As you plan on voting, I hope you consider how your vote will impact the children being born today and how future generations will view our choices at this very critical time in America’s story. I’ll have Parker Joseph in mind along with all the souls who came before him. They’re counting on us.

My mother Muriel being quite the planner, I was my sister’s birthday present when she turned 3. Happy Birthday Bubbe!

Craig Wiesner is the co-owner of Reach And Teach, a book, toy and cultural gift shop on San Carlos Avenue in San Carlos.