I love you, Grandma

Nothing I write can fully honor my Grandmother’s life. 

Yzvonne Gore passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of Monday, April 15th, 2019. She had been in and out of the hospital for a few surgeries and was found unresponsive in her hospital bed during a routine check-in from the nurses around 7am.

I can say a few real words… I can tell stories and share memories… I can write about how bright and lovely she was… build an image of her spirit and power, and obviously… nothing I write can effectively communicate the impact of my Grandmother’s heart in this world.

My Grandmother was my parent and life-guide.

She was a powerful Mother and Daughter.

She was an excellent Nurse and Creative.

Grandma loved her daughter... my Mother, DJ Bell, who died a few years ago in 2016.

It is truly the most difficult thing to lose both my Grandmother and Mother within these short few years. It's always been the three of us.

I love and miss them both.

I love you Mom and Grandma.

Everyday, My Grandmother and I talked on the phone - texting or video-chatting. I would take her to dinners and hotel adventures on special occasions. In the summers, we would get ice cream and sit in the park and watch people and talk. I would rant to her about work and partners and music and school. She would rant to me about the news, about the weather, about memories of my Mom. Grandma would ask if I’d eaten, if I’d gotten rest, what I was doing at work or in my room or with my weird friends. She’d offer to call to wake me up for my day. She’d leave me millions of voicemail messages if I couldn’t answer the phone. She’d talk about the people at her nursing home, all the drama and complaints and celebrations. She’d go on long monologues about her observations of how people are in the world… she was always watching - delighted and disgusted by people - friends and family, strangers and characters. My Grandmother was a person who was deep in noticing and understanding. She was a creative… always wanting to change or upgrade something… take it apart and decorate it, build it from scratch with lots of shiny crystals and big colors. She twirled batons and competed in beauty pageants. She sewed clothing - so many coats and dresses. She crocheted the biggest blankets. She was a dedicated crafter. My Grandmother loved to make jewelry. So many beads and stones. So many trinkets and DIY projects. She loved Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle. Crime shows and Jerry Springer type TV…

All of this said, I am writing out to my communities to ask for support in this transition.

I am planning, along with some family and friends, a memorial service for my Grandmother. Details to come as soon as they’re confirmed.

I need support with paying for my Grandmother’s services and medical bills. I am working with a local hospital and funeral home to arrange these logistics. I also need support with transportation and food costs, more generally.

If you cannot donate coin, please reach out to support in other ways re: rides and meals and time, etc.

I genuinely appreciate you all for reading this and caring enough to be a part of this process of grief, celebration, loss, life and healing.

Thanks in advance for everything.