Norma

When I was 6, I became another part of their family. My kids knew Norma as "Oma" and she considered us a part of her family just as anybody else that she brought into this world herself. 

Norma was deaf and lived an incredibly hard life early on. She was removed from her home, put into a home for mentally challenged individuals, and later- a nurse realized she was deaf and helped her get into a school for the deaf. She was abused and mistreated prior to going to the deaf school, and was so thankful to finally be understood. 

She grew up, had five children, and grew her own family. She was an active part of the deaf community and had so many people that loved her. I honestly think she was the funniest person that I've ever met. Even on her death bed, she was cracking jokes and making people laugh. 

She knew she was going to die. She lived a full life, and was ready to go. She told her daughter on Thursday, "I'm going to die on Monday" and that she did. It amazes me that she said that, and it happened. Before Monday, she got to spend time with every person in her family and was making them all smile and laugh. What a wonderful way to go. She passed away in her home, in her bed, with three of her sons by her side.

She was 85 years old when she passed on May 10, 2021. The same day my cousin David passed away 16 years ago. 

May 10th is an odd day for me. 

Anyhow, I always regret not learning ASL to communicate with her better - though she could read my lips and seemed to have no problem yelling her sentences at me (lovingly loud, because deaf people are loud lol). 

I have decided that I'd like to start learning ASL, finally. 

Rest in peace, Norma. You made a huge splash in this world and touched so many people with your wonderful heart.