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This is my husband’s beloved Nana.  She passed a few years back but he talks about her all the time.  She was one of the first family members that I met (besides his sister, who was there from the beginning- holla!).

There are a lot of  Nana stories that my husband and I share with our kids. Her Easter dinner. The many many summers he and his sister spent with Nana in New Jersey.  The Ukrainian heritage she shared proudly and loudly with anyone who came in contact with her.

I loved Nana too.  She reminded me of my grandparents.  Stoic and strong, completely living for her family.

I was a little bit of a mystery to her.

I didn’t eat meat (not even Ham!), I was….you know….brown.  Plus my boy had never brought a gal pal home to her before.    But she made me feel so welcome and loved – from the minute I met her.

My favorite Nana story:  She loved having us over for the night. She’d cook up a storm – I’d eat some rye bread.  It was fantastic.  Then we’d watch a little basic cable and get ready for bed.  Because Nana, like her apartment, was old school, I slept with her in her bed.  Her grandson slept on the coach in the living room. To make me feel comfortable, and completely at home – she would always say the same thing,” if you need to make boom, you make boom.”  At first I was embarrassed.  I’m not good with “boom” stuff.  I’ve never liked “boom” humor, or “boom” references.  But then I realized it was just Nana.  She just wanted me to enjoy my time there, making “boom” or not.

Side note:  Sorry about the blurry pic, but please note my jazzy dragon earrings and roll neck sweater.  You can’t see it clearly, but I was also wearing a Cancer crab ring.  I was like a J.Crew-biker chick combo.