Remembering My Aunt Nancy & Her Dog Gidget.
Acapulco was one of my aunt Nancy’s favorite restaurants. It was a warm, sunny day in Costa Mesa, and my family and I were out to eat. After Nancy was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in April of 2006, we tried to support her through chemo in any way we could, and I remember being excited to see her when we drove into the O.C. that morning.
I, personally, did not care for the food at Acapulco, but spending time with family was ten times more important to me than enjoying what I had ordered. Much of that day I do not remember, but I do remember eating outside with Nancy, and sharing some carnitas with my mother. When I was a child, I sometimes felt uncomfortable around people, but I always was able to be myself in front of family.
Nancy was very attached to animals, and ended up adopting a toy dog called Gidget. She bent over backward to care for her. She gave her baths, fed her, and took her to the vet regularly for checkups. My maternal grandparents eventually invited Nancy to move in with them, and Gidget was obviously included.
Gidget was incredibly special and loving. She eventually became attached to everyone in my grandparents’ house in Costa Mesa. I was not even living there at the time, and I still managed to become attached to her.
Nancy’s cancer was very hard on my grandma. It devastated her, every minute of every day, and ate away at her perpetually. It must have been so challenging for her to watch her child struggle. We tried to be there for my grandparents and Nancy as much as possible during that challenging time.
When Nancy eventually passed, we were all besieged by grief. To this day, I remember her as a very loving, very caring, and very kind person who weathered every misfortune that was foisted upon her. She was so strong, so bold, and so inspiring. Not a day goes past when someone in our family does not think of her.
She was survived by her dog Gidget. My grandma assumed responsibility for caring for her. I have this memory of Gidget entering my guest room, one time when I was staying at my grandparents’ house. It was late at night, but for some reason, I was awake, and I saw Gidget enter my room. I was very tired, and surprised, but happy to see her wanting to visit with me.
The primary reason why my Grandma Marguerite was so attached to Gidget was because that dog reminded her of her daughter. I am so moved, by the love she had for Gidget, even as I write this. We all treated the dog as a living, breathing reminder of how special my aunt Nancy truly was to all of us. I will treasure my memories with her and Gidget, and keep them with me, forever and always.
