Today marks 8 years since my grandmother's death, and I've been thinking about her a lot this past weekend. She was such an extraordinary woman: She moved to Chicago from a teeny tiny town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to go to nursing school when she was just 18 (something women in the 1930s didn't do very often), met and married my grandfather just before he left for WWII, raised three daughters during the chaotic 1960s and even discovered that she was a fantastic painter later on in her life. Whew! I'm not quite sure how she managed to do it all, but from the time I was a little girl, I used to just sit there in awe of her, this incredibly strong woman who loved her family more than anything.
I know she's a huge part of the reason I grew into such a creative, independent, feisty woman; it's comforting to still feel her influence in that way.
What lessons did you learn from your grandparents?
9 Comments:
What a lovely tribute~
I lost both my grandparents as well... I was very close to my grandmama; she taught be to have a creative life from how to prepare food to everything I do really!...at least I'm still trying!
xo
My grandfather recently passed. He grew up in a rural area of Kentucky. His father left when he was young, and he lived his childhood close to poverty. However, he went to college and received his master's degree. He met my grandmother, an amazing and beautiful woman, and they lived and raised three children in central Michigan.
I learned many things from him, but one of the biggest may be that, no matter where you're born or where you grow up, it doesn't have to define you or bring you down. With hard work, you can do anything you want in life.
Aww God bless your grandma. I'm lucky enough to have both sets of my grandparents still with me. I've learned so much from all of them that its incredible. I'm grateful for the lessons.
This is beautiful and I so miss all of my grandparents. My mama was the best grandmother in the whole world. She taught me what Love really is and how to give it and receive it.
Thanks for sharing this
Maggie
My awesome Nanny and Grandad have taught me so much. Mostly about how important love is, they've been together a long time and been through a lot and are still devoted to one another. They're both getting on a bit and can't do as much as they once did, but still mean the world to me.
I'm sure your Grandmother knew how much she meant to you Melissa.
Sadly, my grandparents died before I was born (well, my grandmother died when I was about six months old), so I never had the chance to know them. I do know that my grandmother was one of the first women to drive a car; and my grandfather had the ability to play any instrument by ear - no lessons required.
What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother, Melissa!! :)
Thanks, Madeleine!! And Faux, I love that lesson about not letting something define you! Amen! xoxo
this is so sweet. I recently lost my grandfather and I think about him often. He taught me so many things, I couldn't choose just one to mention.
Aw they look like the sweetest people! and so in love! Thanks for sharing :)
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