Roo-Roo
August 23, 2008
My grandmother turned ninety-nine in March. Her name is Ruth but most people, including her eighteen grandchildren, call her Roo-Roo. That name came about when, as children, our attempts at pronuncing Ruth came out as “Roo” and then morphed to Roo-Roo.
Roo-Roo is a miracle, a true dynamo of spirit and love. Since I was a child her presence always meant fun, freedom and possibility. My mother once wrote a beautiful poem about Roo that captured her essence. I remember one of the lines saying “When Roo-Roo comes our home becomes a wonderland”. That is still true.
My brother recently suggested “Who knows if you become a comedian without the influence of Roo-Roo?” I agree. Her spirit of mischief and fun are part of my DNA and I am so grateful for that. She embodies a philosophy of hope, survival and never taking life or yourself too seriously, which is essential to comedy.
Some time around her ninety-second birthday Roo-Roo informed us that she would like to be called “Morning Dew Hibiscus”, with no further explanation. I would receive letters and cards in the mail from Roo-Roo signed with her new alias “Morning Dew Hibiscus”. That might seem bizarre or perhaps a red flag of waning mental health for anyone else but for Roo-Roo it was the opposite; a confirmation that she was the very same wacky, silly, unique individual still reinventing herself into her nineties.
My mother, brother and I recently visited Roo-Roo at the assisted living residence that she calls home. We usually take her out to lunch at the Olive Garden for her favorite, mussels and zinfindel. Roo-Roo orders the same thing every time but yet when we sit down she always peruses the menu, asking “What looks good today?” I can’t help but laugh; she acts as though she is carefully weighing her options (perhaps she is) but ultimately orders the very same mussels and zinfindel.
My mother told me of a recent trip in the car, driving Roo-Roo back home. The GPS, in an english woman’s voice, was instructing my mother where and when to turn. Roo-Roo was fascinated by this and asked my mother “Do you always listen to her, Patty?”
My mother, not at all phased by such a question coming from Roo, answered “Most of the time, yes. Unless I’m familiar with the area and know a better way, then I’ll make my own decision.”
To which Roo-Roo replied, in all sincerity, “You’re so good with relationships.”
If we are good with relationships it’s thanks in no small measure to you, Roo-Roo. You have left us a marvelous blueprint for a life of love and happiness.
May we all be as good with relationships and as graceful with living life as you, our beautiful and precious Morning Dew Hibiscus.