Rest in Peace

Bugga passed away on Saturday. We are cherishing the time that we got to spend with her on Wisconsin turf this summer and fall. So many good memories. And so much that reminded me of my own grandma. The girls were able to make some memories that I hope will resonate with them their whole lives. After she returned to California (Oct 9th) she was at her house. I don't think we called. She sent back 2 beautiful rosemaling painted wooden plates for the girls with Dad. I thought about calling and the timing was never right. So we didn't get to have one last chat. She didn't get to hear us say thank you for a little slice of Norwegian heritage. She sent Emma a birthday card with a wonderful note inside. I feel so guilty and heartwrenchingly sad that we did not make contact again before she passed. I hope she knows that she was always on our mind and we were always sending love across the miles. After she fell and was in the hospital I did message the daughter that was with her and asked her to pass along our good wishes. I also asked for her phone number so that we could call. We were told that she wasn't good on the phone but that we would be sent the number when she felt better. 1-2 days later she was gone and we never got the hospital number.
Later on Saturday after Dad with the awful news, we were talking as a family about what to have for brunch the next day. Steve tossed out egg cheese casserole to which I replied, yes! that would be a super fitting dish since it was Bugga's signature breakfast recipe. Our brunch turned into a celebration of life feast for Bugga. We made egg cheese casserole, pumpkin praline waffles, sliced strawberries and whipped cream, diced cantaloupe, bacon, and of course, orange juice. We invited Mom and Dad and Emma set up an ofrenda. We ate and shared some stories and just soaked up the fact that we all got to spend several months with Bugga before she left. The tears didn't set in until church Sunday morning. The gates were opened and I could barely keep it together. Then it all hit again today on the drive to work. It is so weird how grief works. Thoughts of both Bugga and Grandma were spinning around in my head. Some of the moments I shared earlier were in the forefront- Toots, canasta, etc.
I shared our egg cheese casserole idea with my "sisters" and hoped that they would find a way to celebrate Bugga's life. What they all have ended up doing (or committed to doing) is make egg cheese. Pictures have been shared and the iconic meal has been shared across the world. One sibling family (grandchildren of Bugs) is temporarily living in Germany and they had to take 3 buses to find Jack cheese, without which egg cheese would lose half it's deliciousness.
A google picture sharing has commenced with snapshots of Bugga through the years, with various combinations of family members. First great grandchild, additional babies, weddings, road trips and generations of Delwiche family members sharing happy moments with the matriarch.
So to Bugga I say, rest in peace. You have lived a full and happy life (for my part). We will miss you greatly. I hope that you and Grandma are able to share some memories and look down at us and smile. We love you!