A Memorial to Bobo

As some of you know I'm a writer, but I've never had to write something like this before so, please, bear with me. 

When I was a little girl I couldn't say Nancy, so for some odd reason.... the name Bobo came out of my mouth. It's stuck with this incredible woman ever since. 

I've had the opportunity to come to terms with Bobo's passing. I flew in from New York on a Tuesday morning so I could say goodbye to my beloved grandmother, oops, I mean Bobo... she hates being called grandma. And rightfully so, the woman had zero qualities that resemble a grandmother, except you know, science. This extraordinary woman started off as my Girl Scout leader, and let me tell you we had the most wonderful times together. As we all should know, Girl Scouts are supposed to do community service, did we do that? Eh, not quite. We went on adventures, and Bobo always planned the best.

Bobo was my rock, my best friend, my secret keeper. She knows all of the inappropriate stories of my life, and she certainly took them to her grave. I am forever grateful to have had her strong presence in my life. 

When I was in middle school (I believe) Bobo moved away to Arizona. To say I was devastated is an understatement. How could my rock in a hard place leave me stranded? Who would I have sleep overs with 24/7 and tease all the time? Who would put me first the way she always did? Who would be my best friend? 

Well, we survived that and we survived many more obstacles. Now that I've been in college for 3 years, I understand why she did it. Well, one the warm weather, and two she was a much healthier and stronger human being away from the craziness I call my lovely, and I do mean lovely, immediate family. Everyone has their own shit, but I'll 

leave it at that. 

Visiting Bobo in Arizona consisted of some of the happiest times of my life. No matter what craziness was going on around us, Bobo, Fluffy, and I always had a solid time. She was my escape, even on vacations. 

She then moved to Los Angeles. She needed a more "lively" environment than the one she was given with all the people her own age in Arizona. That was not cutting it for her, and if you know Bobo you all know why. She is a good fucking time, excuse my French but I needed to emphasize. 

I have to share this one memory with you all, so we can take a breath and laugh. Bobo took me and one of my closest friends Bari to Six Flags back home in Chicago. One of the craziest rides in the park is called Rajing Bull and it starts off with a large uphill crank leading to the biggest drop on a rollercoaster in the entire park. Did Bobo go on this ride? ABSOLUTELY. She sat in between Bari and I and on the long crank uphill, would not stop, and I mean would not, stop screaming "FUCK FUCK FUCK" while squeezing our hands. I have truly never laughed harder in my entire life. When we got off, I wouldn't say she wanted to go again, but she had a damn good time. 

Ok screw it, I’m sharing another one. My friend Demi and I would do weird things to this poor woman. Bobo has always longed for a lover, don’t we all? Demi and I thought it would be a fantastic idea to create a fictional person of interest for Bobo; he went by Fluffington. Why? Because we were young, dumb, and were thinking about Fluffy. As many of us know, Bobo’s favorite game is Uno. She loved the “wild card.” Our first instinct? To send her a letter including a “wild card” from the beloved game and the letter contained the words: “you are my wild card.” Did she really believe this man existed? Chances are probably not. But she went along with it anyway. Because that’s the kind of person she was. Always putting us kids first and she always aimed to please. 

The memories are endless, and if I shared even two more with you all it would turn into an endless ramble. There are too many great ones to pick from. 

This has been the most devastating loss in my entire 23 years on this planet. I'm very lucky I was able to say goodbye and read her something special I wrote on the plane over to LAX. 

The past four months have been brutal, and I unfortunately hadn't heard her voice in those months. She didn't want me to see her or hear her in the state she was in. I'm sure she wasn't too happy I saw her at hospice at first, but I know in my heart she understood why I needed to go. She will always be the most beautiful person in my eyes, inside and out. These memories will trump the last picture in my mind of her lying in bed, because we had so many, and I mean so many, incredible times. 

Bobo, what hurts so much is that you won't see me get married (hopefully), be in the room with me while I give birth (hopefully) to many children. Ok I lied, I'm only having two (hopefully). My children won't have a crazy fun great grandmother. Your daughter, my mom Denise, has A LOT to live up to. And so do I. 

The legacy you have created is something I've never seen before. Every person you have encountered has a special place in their heart for you. You have touched the lives of many. 

I love you so much, Bobo. You will NEVER and I mean NEVER be forgotten. I can't wait to tell crazy stories to my own children. I know they will be wishing you were around. Everyone wishes you were still around. The suffering is over Bobo, and I'm so glad you get to be at ease with your number one companion, Fluffy. 

Rest easy, and I'll see you when I see you. Give Fluffy and Chi a huge kiss for me.