Family Legacy

This past weekend we were in Omaha for a funeral. John's paternal grandma, Adell Mostek, passed away after a long life of 92 years. We are very close to the extended family on his Dad's side, but usually only get to see them once a year or so around the 4th of July. All of John's brothers and sister gathered in Omaha for the funeral and to remember Grandma Mostek.

I first met Grandma Mostek in the spring of 1994 when I went to Omaha with John over Easter break. His grandparents happened to be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, so here I am as a family newcomer in all the pictures. His cousin Dave also announced his engagement to his girlfriend, so it was quite a big weekend. Who would've known that 15 years later we'd be looking at those photos with a family that has grown by 5 spouses and 11 grand kids.

John's grandpa passed away soon after we were married, so Grandma Mostek has been on her own for quite a few years. Once she was in an assisted living facility, her daughter Dot started Grandma making fleece tie blankets as something to pass the time and keep her hands busy and agile. I would have to ask Dot how many blankets Grandma Mostek made over the course of the years, but this weekend there were 8 full tubs/boxes of blankets she had made. We already had quite a few at home that she had made for us, but we left with about 5 more. Part of her legacy will be those blankets that are being used by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She has also sold some at craft fairs, made some on request for people, and donated many to Project Linus.

Another thing Grandma Mostek would do to pass the time is play lottery Bingo. Again, Dot would bring her scratch-off Bingo cards and Grandma would enjoy playing. In honor of her on Sunday night, Dot bought 15 lottery Bingo cards for everyone to play together. We were hoping Grandma would be looking down on us and someone would win the big $35,000 prize, but the biggest winners were a few $5 cards. It was fun and I'm surprised we made it out of Nebraska without buying more cards. Now every time we see something posted about a Bingo night or there is talk of Bingo, we think of Grandma Mostek.

Another part of growing up as a Mostek is remembering your polish heritage. Grandma Mostek loved her polka music (and passed that love onto her son, John's dad) and they also loved their Polish food. Our meal after the funeral was a delicious Polish spread provided by Eddy's Catering in Omaha. Even our girls love kielbasa and I was introduced to kolaches. Yum! Grandma and Grandpa Mostek grew up in a very Polish neighborhood in South Omaha. Walking through the cemetery at the graveside service you couldn't pass a headstone that didn't have some sort of Polish name--the longer the last name, the fewer vowels it had.

Even though our girls only met Grandma Mostek a few times, I hope that they remember her through the stories we tell. They love their blankets that she made and now they want to play Bingo all the time. She will be missed by her loving family who knows they are all here in part because of her. I'm sure there was a spot saved for her at the Bingo table in Heaven.