Thursday, May 1, 2014
On Saturday, April 26th 2014, an angel entered the gates of heaven. She is not only an angel, but my grandmother, Eileen Farley. Not only was she my grandma, she was my friend, my teacher and my helper. I have so many treasured memories of this vibrant, well-liked and charismatic lady growing up. I was so proud to be referred to as Eileen Farley's granddaughter. Everyone in Goshen knew Eileen and adored her,after all she was smiling all the time and so friendly to everyone who crossed her path. My grandma worked for Goshen's local paper "the independent republican" aka the INDY. Over the years of me growing up, I was a frequent visitor of her employment. I usually walked around Goshen either solo or with friends. I would open the door which is located next to Elsie's Luncheonette and I would walk up the stairs which would creek with every step I took, to come to the top and see my grandma at the first desk. She was "always" so happy to see me. When I would arrive she would ask me if I wanted to use the typewriter or calculator. She would set me up and I would begin to pretend work. On some occasions, my grandma would invite me downstairs to Elsie's Luncheonette to have lunch together. Just me and her. I would NEVER decline. After all it's food and with my grandma. What's better than that. We were work buddies. Now my grandma, Grandma Farley as I would call her, loved going out to socialize. Every Friday night, she and her girlfriends, "The Golden Girls", as they were referred to in Goshen, would gather at the Orange Inn. I knew that because I was often there too. Not to much in the bar but down below playing with my friend Alexis. Often, I would watch her from below or I would go upstairs to say hello to her and her girlfriends. I was always welcomed or at least made to feel that way. She would ask me if I wanted a Shirley Temple. Her friends were happy to see me too. As a teenager my grandma took me in to live with her. Every morning I would awake to her saying my name from the stairs down below. It would take her awhile to get me up. But each time she said my name, it was like the first. Never losing patience. I would come downstairs and we would have toast together. Mine with cheese. We would just talk. She would always make sure I had a little money on me. I never knew it was coming. She would fold money, grab my hand, tuck the
money and close my hand. She never wanted me to leave the house without a little something. I was often driven around by my grandmas friend Ginny. We went for fine dinners out at times and great talks. They both taught me how to play cards and use pennies to gamble. That was achieved at my grandmas kitchen table. I was not an easy teenager but she often complimented me. She always hugged me and smiled when she saw me. She also did the same with every goodbye. My Grandma Farley taught me no matter what is upsetting us or what problems we have, get up, get dressed and head towards the door. When you open it and take your first step out, stand up straight and smile. So for today and every day regardless of how hard it is, I will try my best to do it in memory of one fine woman , my grandmother, Eileen Farley.
