Memories of our son Frank Ruiz Jr

I was remembering a night just Frankie and I went Christmas Shopping. We finished the day by going to McDonalds. We were living at my Moms in Bellmore. He was around 6 years old. It was snowing lightly, and we had our HAPPY MEALS, and he was such a great little companion. Such a great kid, you could have major conversations with him, even then... Anyway, we had our dinner and headed to the car. We got in, and....it wouldnt start....It was nightime, and Frank Sr was either away, or working...so I called my Mom.

While we waited, we talked about Christmas, and how excited he was with what we got his Dad, and hoping it would snow on Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day....

So, we were sitting there, and who pulls into the driveway, but my 80 year old Gramma! She drove a Gremlin with MANUAL steering! God Bless her! But, with a big smile on her face she rescued us, and Frankie said he never loved her so much as that night when she rescued us...He and his Great Gramma had the best relationship. She lived in the house with my Mom, so he had a communal upbringing until we moved to Selden.

I know he is up there with Gramma, watching the news with her, and sipping the special "Cocktails" she made for the two of them (Orange juice and Cranberry juice only!!!). He was the only one she would let interupt her WEATHER report when it came on...the only one. She would flick the lights to our upstairs hallway as a signal, and asked if he wanted to do any number of things...make jello, blueberry muffins, or watch the news with her. You could go into her room, and find them playing with his matchbox and hotwheels on the floor. On the FLOOR...80 years old. He always had a smile on his face when Gramma was with him.... I was always so happy he got to know and love his great Gramma....she was one of my true life heros.

I miss those days.....