sarah (#1)

she shared a room with me when i was 6 - i remember the piece of paper i put on the door of our room (Sarah #1 and Sarah #2 live here!) in my six year old scratch. my bed was on the left side and hers was on the left. i hope i was a good roommate, because she was. so neat, so organized, minimalist (Depression-Era to a T). she lived there until she moved to her own apartment a block away from The Weakley's house on Pike St. -- Jadwin St., Apt. A. whenever i go back to the tri-cities and am driving on McMurray or Jadwin I'll think of her. the space she occupied there.

she used wax paper for my lunches when she packed them (always better than when dad did), and sometimes i even remembered to save the wax paper so she could reuse it

i have her name.

i have her feet - high heels are a killer.

i don't quite have her gift for cooking, yet. hopefully one day i'll be able to master the pies with the evergreen trees in them. and the bunny bread (although brelin already has that under control.)

some phenomenal advice: "the best way to get a man is just to trip him. that way, he'll fall down right in front of you, you take care of him and then he'll realize how wonderful you are."

she used to sing "Three Cornered Hat" in German.

she made my favorite prom/homecoming dresses, always there in the clutch when the hem was wrong or the material too difficult to work with. such patience and talent.

the last time i saw her the conversation started with, "so, who are you bossing around nowadays?" -- she knew me too well.

her brothers and sisters called nicknamed her "Saint Sarah" for very good reason.

impeccable kindness, impeccable determination, impeccable faith.

i only hope that my life is one she'd be proud of.

i love you, grandma sarah.

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January 11, 1919 - September 23, 2010

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