Oma and Opa (Version #5)

My grandparents are dying.

The Informative Rundown:

Opa (Grandfather):

88

Immigrant from Germany

Escaped the Holocaust

Retired Expert Tailor, WWII Veteran

Pace Maker

Triple By-Pass

Prostate

Cataract x 2

Lymph in Tongue Surgery

Stroke x 2 + others

Did not go to the Hospital immediately after the last stroke because he never wants to leave the side of the love of his life

Still, in the midst of it all, he posed in the hospital for his grandson to take a photograph, for art

Oma (Grandmother):

85

Immigrant from Lithuania

Mother and Sisters shot in the Holocaust

Retired EKG Technician

Cancer in the leg x 2

Bulging bad eye

Shingles

Can no longer walk, locate the kitchen or remember if I gave her a pill 10

minutes ago

Still, in the midst of it all, makes sure I eat, talks about her grandson

being an artist, and shares my blue eyes

Home:

Opera singer floors above can be heard

Awards and certificates hang on the walls

My childhood art hangs on the walls

Dead flowers from the 60th anniversary just one week ago still on the table

The Coo-Coo clock has to be wound up

Medications unorganized and in wrong bottles

Can no longer sign checks or go to the bank or doctor or grocery

Refrigerator filled with delivered meals, bad food, expired milk, bread,

cheese, matzoh and prunes

Summary:

He’ll make 90

She’ll make matzoh ball soup and cookies again

Or

I’ll have to write pages and speak.

© 2000 David Greg Harth

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00.04.21.03:31:31 @ New York City 296E