Yiayia's Journey Part 24
In 1974, my grandmother Yiayia - the ever evolving, wonderfully witty Penelope Conomos
- began to enjoy a season of prosperity. She gratefully welcomed the birth of
her final grandchild - a baby girl named Alexa. And with her children and five
grandchildren now all living nearby, the Conomos family circle was complete.
And
so over the years, the former peasant girl who'd never surpassed a 3rd grade
education would attend every graduation. After leaving her primary family
behind in Greece decades ago, she would spend every birthday and holiday with
the new one she and Papou created in America. And time after time, the
indelibly feisty Penelope Conomos would simply astound her 2nd generation
American grandchildren.
For
they would often wonder ~ what did she do to keep her '66 Dodge Dart so
pristine? How did she understand THEIR jokes, then laugh louder than anyone
else? Just where did she find the energy to mow her lawn, clean the gutters and
climb the roof of her home? And on summer fishing trips, how did she catch
more trout than all of her grandkids combined? Yes, after all that wondering,
they could only conclude one thing ~ their Yiayia was the eighth wonder of the
world.
Even
more years later, one grandchild seized upon the opportunity of a lifetime.
Admitted into Santa Clara University - I would live less than a mile away from
my beloved Yiayia And so over the next four years, I'd pack my school bag.
Walk to that little pink house. Knock on the red door. And be welcomed into a
world of warmth with her trademark greeting ~ "Oh my Alexa, my
sweetheart!"
And
so after a little studying and a big Greek meal, we would sit at that tiny
kitchen table and talk about 'the life.' And what emerged was the poignant
story of a poor village girl who faced and overcame countless tribulations with
courage and grit. Until that moment, I never truly appreciated the depth of
loss she endured so that one day I could lead a richer life. But now, as I
recall that my university sits across the street from the very factory where Yiayia labored for years, I can't help but cry for the profound irony.
In
later years, Yiayia and I would share another poignant conversation at her
kitchen table. I'd just accepted my first reporting job in Palm Springs, CA.
And in tears, I shared that I was afraid to move away from home. But in her
trademark Greek accent she said, "Oh my Alexa. Do not worry so. Remember that I
left my mother in Greece to come to America. It will be alright." And yet,
she would come to regret that long ago conversation. For that first job
redirected the path of my life - and it now winds thousands of miles away from
my Yiayia.
Over
the years ~ weddings, baptisms, and just plain missing that feisty family
matriarch would beckon me home for sweet reunions. But soon, a painful event
would bring Yiayia and her children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren
together once again. A loss so profound the Conomos family would never be the
same.
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