Sadness, Discovery and Inspiration
I just lost someone very close to me, the man who not only gave me my love for chocolate and my insatiable sweet tooth, but who also taught me how to play backgammon and dominoes, crack an egg with one hand, make challah French toast and master his famous matzoh brei (I had shared his handwritten recipe – and secret – on the blog). My 89 year old Grandfather, my friend and role model, who was playing tennis a few times a week just a couple of months ago, and skyping with me from New York to Switzerland, passed away after 72 years as my Grandmother’s best friend.
Sy Paris Abramson, 1921-2011 (the handsome fella in the center)
My grandparents traveled the world together, in search of new adventures and the sounds of exotic languages. They instilled in me a hunger for discovery, a perpetual curiosity about other cultures and an understanding of travel through interactions with people. There was simply no way to visit a new city or country without spending time talking to locals and returning home with tons of stories, memories and photos.
I have spent the past few weeks in New York looking at family photos. I love photos. Images of my sister and me growing up, playing with Barbies (hers) and LEGO (mine); family cheering us on at the track and on the soccer field; the two of us dressed up in silly outfits (who dressed us ?!), running around, laughing hysterically and spending quality time with my grandparents. Photos of my parents when they were my age, and even of my grandparents that young too. The most extraordinary images of all were found in a small, black, battered box with a faded fabric top that my Grandmother opened for us for the first time (those are her hands above). Inside were miniature photos, smaller than a standard business card, that my Grandfather took with his Voigtländer camera and sent home to my Grandmother while he was at war. He was in the medical unit during World War II, based in Rome and Paris, and added handwritten notes on the images as captions for my Grandmother.
Paris was a city he fell in love with (I guess it runs in the family), and where he later returned with my Grandmother to fall in love all over again. They both fell in love with the magical City of Lights yet again during my wedding in France several years ago. I love that my Grandfather chose to make his mother’s maiden name, Paris, endure, replacing his middle name with it.
One of these treasured images of my Grandfather will now have a special spot on my desk. I miss my Grandfather tremendously and not a day will go by that I don’t think of him…
Tags: Family, France, Inspiration, Paris, Travel, Voigtländer, World War II
February 24th, 2011 at 18:13
I’m terribly sorry for your loss
This is a beautiful tribute post.
February 24th, 2011 at 18:13
I am so soirry to hear that. All my condolences.
You were very lucky to have such a wonderful grandfather and to have shared so much with him.
Hugs,
Rosa
February 24th, 2011 at 18:19
I’m so sorry to read about your loss. It sounds like you had a wonderful relationship with him.
February 24th, 2011 at 18:34
Thank you for the Twitter updateon your loss. I read the info and can see how your life was touched. It is wonderful when we are blessed with such memories, as they don’t leave, like people do.
February 24th, 2011 at 19:07
I’m sorry to hear that he passed away, Kerrin. Matt and I are thinking of you. Thanks for sharing these photos and your memories.
February 24th, 2011 at 19:44
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Kerrin. Thank you for sharing your relationship with him with us.
February 24th, 2011 at 20:11
I am so sorry for your loss, Kerrin. It looks like he was a very inspiring person indeed.
February 24th, 2011 at 20:23
I am truly a very lucky mom to have a daughter that expresses herself with such love and emotion. Your Grandfather truly loved you for who you are….and who you will become. He loved reading your blog, hearing your adventures and seeing the love in your eyes.
February 24th, 2011 at 20:46
Beautifully said Kerrin. What a wonderful man, story, and photos. We are so happy to have known him for all of these years and share so many memories with your family.
We love you very much.
xo. Sam, Paula & Bert.
February 24th, 2011 at 21:11
What a heartfelt and wonderful post. A great way to keep him in your memory K. Be strong and be well. Love you!
February 24th, 2011 at 22:35
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing a little bit of him with us.
February 24th, 2011 at 23:12
This is such a wonderful tribute Kerrin. I look forward to the day when I can come to visit you (yes it’s still happening) and we can look through photos and chat all about the wonderful memories. Much love sweet kerrin. xxx
February 24th, 2011 at 23:16
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s wonderful that he enriched your life with such exuberance for living. Thank you for sharing this tribute. It sounds like he was a wonderful man. Hugs to you during this difficult time.
February 24th, 2011 at 23:18
Kerrin, I am sorry for your lost. Yet we all know what a beautiful and full life your grandfather had lived! The proof is in his wonderful family – his children and grandchildren…in YOU!
February 24th, 2011 at 23:20
I am so sorry for your loss, Kerrin. It is so lovely to read these thoughts about your grandfather and to see these fascinating photographs of a time we can hardly imagine. I’m really glad that your love of Paris was transmitted generationally. And I love your Mom’s comment. Lots of love to you. H
February 24th, 2011 at 23:23
I’m sorry to hear it Kerrin
Unfortunately I didn’t have the luck to live my grandparents long enough to appreciate them and their experience though I still remember the times I went through the village with my grandmother to buy bread from the neighbor wood-fired oven.
Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Sweet chocolaty hugs my friend!
February 24th, 2011 at 23:27
What a wonderful tribute. I was very close to my grandparents and I miss them so much. I can so understand. Hugs to you.
February 24th, 2011 at 23:28
I am sorry for your loss Kerrin. Such lovely memories you have to comfort you.
February 24th, 2011 at 23:49
My sincere and heartfelt condolences Kerrin.
What a wonderful tribute you wrote.
Karin
February 25th, 2011 at 00:15
Really sorry to hear of your loss Kerrin and this is a beautiful post.
February 25th, 2011 at 00:49
Sorry for your loss! How wonderful to have had him with you for so long, and to have so many wonderful memories.
February 25th, 2011 at 00:50
Sorry for your loss. How wonderful to have him with you for so long, and to have so many wonderful memories.
February 25th, 2011 at 01:03
xox
February 25th, 2011 at 01:51
Dearest Kerrin sometimes the greater the life equates to the greater the loss.
It sounds like your Grandfather was a tremendous soul.
Strength and courage to you at this time xx
February 25th, 2011 at 04:30
So sorry to learn of your loss, dear Kerrin. What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather’s life, this post!
February 25th, 2011 at 05:37
So sorry for your loss. These are wonderful memories. I have a box as well and they are much better keep sakes than what you put on line because they can be touched and felt and treasured as all memories should be.
February 25th, 2011 at 07:04
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, your Grandfather sounds like an amazing individual. Your post is a lovely way to remember him and introduce him to a bunch of strangers who wish they could have made his acquaintance.
February 25th, 2011 at 13:57
His memory lives on in you:)
February 25th, 2011 at 14:53
Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry to hear, and I can empathize with the heartache of losing a cherished Grandpa. This is a beautiful post, and I can imagine how difficult it must have been to write so soon. His spirit will live on in you. 72 years with your Grandmother… That’s incredible. How sad that she has lost her love.
Biggest hugs
xoxo
February 25th, 2011 at 15:01
Kerrin, I’m sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your memories and images with us.
I can see your grandfather living in your memories forever.
Hugs x
February 25th, 2011 at 15:16
You write so beautifully Kerrin! My heart goes out to you.
Marika
February 25th, 2011 at 15:27
I’m so sorry for your loss, Kerrin.
Even though he is gone, you were so very lucky to have him with you for that long. Many people don’t get to enjoy their grandparents and all the wisdom they can share. You’ll always have him with you because of the things he taught you
February 25th, 2011 at 15:32
Bravo.
February 25th, 2011 at 16:27
Kerrin, we are so sorry for your loss. Your grandfather gave the world a gift when he gave you your love of travel and sweetness, which you now share lovingly with us all. We honor him today, too! Best from Atlanta
February 25th, 2011 at 16:40
My deepest condolences, Kerrin. This tribute is such a testament to the special love and bond you shared with him. My heart goes out to you…xoxo.
February 25th, 2011 at 17:01
This is a beautiful tribute.
February 25th, 2011 at 18:00
Kerrin, this was so sweet! You are an amazing writer, the respect I have for you is beyond belief. I am so grateful we had such an amazing grandfather to share our lives with; he will now live vicariously through us. x0x0
February 25th, 2011 at 22:26
I’m sorry to hear about this – you have some great memories of your times together. Thank you for sharing!
February 25th, 2011 at 23:44
Dear Kerrin: so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.
February 26th, 2011 at 01:03
A beautiful tribute to your amazing grandfather. He sounds like a wonderful, loving man. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
February 26th, 2011 at 18:02
sorry for your loss….let the memories bring you comfort
February 26th, 2011 at 19:53
Thinking of you during this sad time. xo
February 26th, 2011 at 21:23
What a beautiful tribute to a very special man.
February 27th, 2011 at 01:13
What a beautiful post. It’s wonderful that you have so many keepsakes (and not just your love of chocolate
) to remember him by.
February 27th, 2011 at 02:45
Dear Kerrin,
I am so sorry for your loss.
I hope all the good memories soothe your soul.
Namaste,
Nicole
February 27th, 2011 at 16:30
You are one lucky woman to have spent such sweet times together with your grandpa. The gifts he shared with you you are sure to treasure forever. May his memory be a blessing.
February 27th, 2011 at 21:48
Sweet Kerrin, from what I’ve read you will forever carry this amazing person with you. how many extraordinary memories. Your grandad is forever alive in you, every time you crack an egg, every time you travel, every time you make a new chocolate discovery. We are in a way very lucky as well as your beautiful relationship has also defined you, and this site gives us glimpses of it. Be strong!
February 28th, 2011 at 10:04
Dear Kerrin,
I am at a loss of words. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
This is such a beautifully written and touching tribute. My heart goes out to you.
March 1st, 2011 at 00:20
Kerrin, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. What a blessing to have him for 89 years! And what a great legacy he has left in you and his posterity. Thank you for sharing your tender, heartfelt feelings. I pray that you will receive the Lords sweetest blessings in your time of sorrow.
March 5th, 2011 at 13:44
Toutes mes condoléances et pensées pour toi et ta famille,
je t’embrasse
March 7th, 2011 at 11:05
** Your wonderful comments and emails have meant so much to me. Thank you all for writing and for your beautiful, heartfelt words. I really appreciate it. **
March 7th, 2011 at 18:58
Weedhopper, I’ve spent a fair amount of time on the road recently looking at family photos as well. Aren’t they wonderful tranport into the world of a loved one? I know you are feeling great sadness at the absence of your Grandfather. My heart extends to you all the hope that the sadness will be eventually replaced with only smiles and fondest memories.
March 8th, 2011 at 00:20
I am so sorry for your loss. I have read (and enjoyed) your blog for a while now, but felt especially compelled to extend my condolences after reading this post. I hope you find some measure of comfort in the photos and memories, and most of all in time with family.
March 8th, 2011 at 07:19
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. At least you have beautiful memories to cherish and those gorgeous old photos to look at. Big hugs.
March 8th, 2011 at 20:45
Sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. Photos and memories are all that are left when someone we love is no longer with us. This is the first time to your blog will come back to see how things are going.
March 10th, 2011 at 11:41
Time to time je vais sur ton blog Kerrin, pas suffisamment apparemment pour être réactive…
quel merveilleux témoignage! un être vous manque et tout est dépeuplé est banal à dire mais tellement vrai…pourtant une petite étoile brille pour toi maintenant, tant de complicité ne peut s’arrêter comme ça…très affectueusement ma Kerrin