We ate tuna fish. For some reason, that has always stuck in my mind. Maybe it’s because I had never seen a two quart bowl of tuna set in the middle of the table, like a Thanks Giving turkey. Maybe, it’s because I didn’t know that you could, in fact, eat tuna without bread. Or, maybe it’s because she just made the best darn tuna. Who knows; But that’s the first meal I ever shared at her a table.
Today, I said goodbye to my husband’s grandma, everybody’s “Ma”, and my friend.
You know how in every family, there is that one person who kind of goos the whole lot together? Ma was that goo. She was kind of like the Godfather…Maundy, Tuesday, Thursday…only feminine. You cross a member of her family and she would take you down! And like Santa, she saw EVERYTHING! She always seemed to know what was happening, who was coming and going…it was a little unnerving, at times.
She was like the lady in your neighborhood who always has cookies and who always has time to sit and talk about your day and what is bothering you  or who is bothering you :)
I have been sitting here trying to think about when I first realized that I loved this strong proud woman; and you know, I can’t put my finger on it. I think I loved her from the get go. I loved her quiet dignity and her unwillingness to budge when she thought she was right. I love that she was unafraid to tell you what you needed to hear, but never harsh in her words. I love that she always had an opinion…sounds weird, but when I really needed advice, she was always willing to offer it and while she didn’t particularly like it when I disagreed with her; she didn’t hold it against me. We shared an affinity for avocados and a love of pink grapefruit,  old movies, orange spice tea and children. She loved my children and they love her. She’s loved so many children over the years and I have loved hearing the stories. But most of all, I have loved watching her love my kids.
Now, don’t get me wrong…she did have her faults. For instance: She ALWAYS took my husband’s side when I confided our disagreements to her. You would think that after the first seven or eight times, I would have learned that she was ALWAYS going think that Tom was right and if I dared to disagree with her assessment of our “discussion” I would certainly incur “The Look”. She could cock her eyebrow in such a way that I immediately felt like a fool for even thinking that my spouse should actually put his laundry away or throw away his trash or put his bowl in the washer. It was amazing how fast she could reduce me to a baffled acquiescing child. I’m still shaking my head.
She also was a cheat. Look, I love to read. I am an educated woman. And I am young. Therefore, I have deduced that Ma had developed an ingenious scheme by which to ensure she would ALWAYS win at Scrabble – And by win, I mean pulverize, demolish and obliterate. All I can figure, is that she had spare tiles taped to the bottom of  her slippers. That’s my theory and I am sticking with it. I never won…seriously.
And, she hated my coffee.
I know this is a “Food blog”; but this woman has been so key in my life, these past 6 years. She has loved me, supported me, offered advice and a shoulder when I needed one. She has inspired me as a mother and wife. And most importantly, she has “gooed” me to a family that I will forever call my own. And for that, I am grateful.

Today, I said goodbye my husband’s grandma, everybody’s “Ma” and my friend.

We love you, Ma