A love of dancing - mainly to polkas

"Esther had a heart of gold.... She always had a smile on her face.... She loved playing cards - 500 and bridge and had a love of dancing- mainly to polkas. She will truly be missed."

I love this part of Esther's obituary. We were neighbors for almost 17 years before she moved into assisted living and then a nursing home.

I went to the church for the funeral, but left. I instead went to the coffee shop for coffee and a pastry. We used to get together for coffee and donuts and talk about important and trivial life things. I can hear her voice saying, "Oh, honey," in response to my decision to honor her memory this way.

Some of my favorite memories of her include:

•  Esther imploring me to admire her "man hands" which she said were important, growing up on a farm.
•  Esther and my Grandpa chatting at my law school graduation party.
•  Talking with her about education, marriage, and gender roles.
•  Esther telling me that the invasive vine that I had just weeded out of her garden was something she liked in her yard.
•  Hearing about how her desire to travel internationally was the one thing she didn't compromise on in her marriage.
•  Esther bringing one can of beer and a lawn chair to block parties.
•  Watching her trembling hands manage to pour me a cup of coffee and not burn me.

I have been very fortunate in life to meet inspirational, generous women. I do not take that for granted. Thanks, Esther. 

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/GoMaggieGo