In Memory of Helen C. Kaufmann

Bob and I married in southern, coastal Virginia in October - hurricane season. On our wedding day rain storms and threats of worsening weather had me anxious. My mom told me not to worry; after all, my Pop-Pop Kaufmann, aka Shorty, was in Heaven and was no doubt ordering God and any angel he could find to clear away the clouds and let the sun shine on me. I remember laughing and thinking it was probably true, Shorty was one of a kind.

And perhaps even more amazing was the woman who stood by his side for more than 50 years, my Mom-Mom. She was straightforward, faithful, resourceful, loyal, and honest. She raised three sons, prepared legendary Sunday meals, supported her husband through thick and thin, was friend and confident to countless persons, and managed to pass on a fierce sweet tooth to at least one of her grandchildren (yes, me).

My childhood memories are filled with moments she and Shorty made possible: our family trips to Hilton Head, St. Thomas, and Hawaii; weekends in the Poconos at the "K" Ranch; Christmas days spent with family and huge red felt stockings to open.

There is no doubt that the person I have become as an adult has been shaped by her. You see, the thing I most associate with my Mom-Mom is her steadfast belief in "getting to work". If something was bothering you or things were tough, it didn't do to complain or fret, you simply put on a smile and got back to work. In other words, just keep going. I don't know exactly where her strength came from - the legendary German stoicism of her roots; her family upbringing; or simply an inner resource she found early on that served her well her entire life.

Whatever the case, I hope that the way I tried to keep going through the challenges of my life made her proud, and I will do my best to continue to honor her.

Your work here is now done; rest in peace Mom-Mom.