Want to see a beautiful woman?

This is my grandmother, Estelle.  Unfortunately, I never got to meet her.  She died when my dad was still a teenager from lupus, a disease that essentially makes your body allergic to itself. 

I really wish I had gotten to meet her - doesn't she look like so much fun?  I don't know if you can really see it here, if this photo does her justice, but when I look at this picture, I see a woman lounging on the floor, bare feet, giving someone a piece of her mind or adamantly telling a story.

I got to go through some of her old jewelry today that my father has had up in his closet for ages, he thinks since about the time my parents got married (so about 30 years) ago.

I had so much fun going through all of her jewelry, imagining her getting all dolled up to go out with girlfriends or with my grandfather (although, from what I hear, that wasn't a regular occurrence).  The woman had style, I can tell you that.  Just knowing that some day that jewelry will probably be mine (hopefully, anyway, seeing as how I'm her only grandchild, the offspring of her only child), it just gives me thrills and chills.

And it's not the monetary aspect of it - the jewelry probably isn't worth much at all, it's all pretty much costume jewelry.  It's having a connection with a family member I never met, knowing that there were women in my family who did get dressed up to go out, who did wear jewelry (my mother and sister definitely are not fancy-schmancy people). 

My grandmother has always been my answer to the question "If you could have lunch with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?"  I'm fascinated by this woman.  It may be because I never met her.  It may be because of the stories I've heard about her.  It may be because my grandfather never remarried after she died so many years ago (and as far as I know, he never went on any dates, either).  I just feel like there's this grand romance when it comes to her.  Estelle.  My middle name.  In Hebrew, it translates to "star."  Go ahead and tell me she doesn't look like a star.  :)