She's been gone a few years now...and all of us who knew her, loved her. There has never been any question or doubt in my mind of the love Bapa and Gram felt for each other. They were together through the worst times, and celebrated the best times together. Their love has been an inspiration, a goal, for everyone in our family to imitate.
Gram and Bapa started dating when she was only 15. After High School, they ran away together and got married secretly over the weekend, and took a short honeymoon in Chicago. Not long after that, Bapa set Gram up in an apartment on the top floor of a house, and he joined the Navy. He was gone for 4 long years, working on a ship as a mine sweeper - his ship went ahead of the fleet searching for mines in the water - setting them off before their fleet came through so the Americans could pass safely. I can not imagine the heartache Gram must have felt during those long days.
When Bapa got out of the Navy, he went to work in Michigan City, but the company he worked for fell on hard times. They thrived when they had been making supplies for the war, but later had only orders for new railroad cars to fill. Bapa liked the work, but it was inconsistent, and with a wife and child on the way, it was frustrating.
My dad was born, and Bapa pulled some strings to get a job on the South Shore, a railroad that ran from South Bend to Chicago. There he got consistent work, a consistent paycheck, but also was gone 7 days a week. We can only imagine the strain it put on their relationship, but their love stayed strong.
After a lot of hard work, when my Dad was about 4 years old - 1950 or so, Gram and Bapa were able to buy their first house. Bapa knew someone at the bank, and because he was in the Navy, he got a military loan. He was able to buy his first (and the one he remains in to this day) house in 1950 for just $5,800. A two bedroom, one bath, with a basement...it was perfect. No garage, no driveway, but all that would come...
Bapa kept working for the railroad and Stevie was born...just 4 years apart, the boys would fight like all brothers do, but have been close as adults. (Ask Stevie about going fishing with his big brother!)
A garage was added, a driveway, and after hours and hours of hard work, Bapa finished the attic and turned it into a two-room bedroom/study for the boys. Hardwood slats cover the walls everywhere, perfectly fitted and finished to this day, 50 years later.
The boys grew up, as kids will do, and Jimmy got married. Stevie later joined the Marines and got married, too. 3 grandchildren and 3 1/2 great-grandchildren later, the house still stands as a symbol of the love Gram and Bapa shared for so many years.
When Gram passed away, all of us felt a hole in our hearts and in our lives. She genuinely loved each and every one of us. I am convinced that the love she shared with Bapa fed her, especially through the tough times near the end when we all thought our hearts would break.
Thank you, Bapa and Gram, for the shining example of love you have shown us throughout your lives and throughout the years.
I love you.
.JPG)
