Women I Admire

One of my biggest priorities amidst all of the partying this summer was to visit my Grandma's. Both of my Grandma's are now widows. Grandma G having lost her husband only a few months ago. I love my Grandma's so much and want my kids to know them as well.  As they get older and their health declines I feel like my time is limited.  I need to glean all I can from these amazing women. 

 Grandma F. was a war bride.  Isn't that awesome?  I love her stories.  Like how she and a friend wanted to see their husbands who were stationed in California.  They hopped on a train but had no money and ended up spending the night sleeping in a boxcar.  She has lived through a lot.  Joy and of course sorrow has been a part of her life.  One thing I love about my Grandma is that she is optimistic and joyful to be around.  She can mention the fact that her hands are so crippled that she can no longer open a can, as flippantly and lightly as if she was telling me she missed her favorite TV program.  She just does the best with what she's got .....  and always has.  She seems to be one of those people who knows what matters most and lives life with those priorities.  She makes time for people and for love and for friendship. 

I love this picture because Grandma forgot that she left her curlers in.  After she realized it, she insisted on a retake.  Grandma G. was married to my Grandpa for nearly 70 years.  They raised 7 children.  She lives the simple life that I sometimes envy.  She makes her own bread (even now) and gets her milk from the dairy up the road.  She is good down to the core of her.  You can just feel it.  She is gentle and patient in a way that I can't even imagine.  I remember her telling me how my Dad used to have such a hard time going to sleep when he was little.  She used to sit and hold his hand until he fell asleep.  She did this until he was THREE.  She said she finally had to draw a line when he was three because of course she had another child or two by then.  My patience would have lasted a night or two max.  Not three years. 

When my Grandpa got sick, Grandma got sick too.  She seemed to decline right along with him, almost as if she was enduring everything right along with him... just like she did in life.   When I saw her this summer I expected to see her in poor health and with her failing memory getting worse.  Instead I found my Grandma doing very well.  Her memory was better than it has been in a long time, and she seemed almost sprightly as she fluttered around taking care of her guests.  She joked with us.  She proudly showed me her book of mormon and told me of the goal she set to read it this year.  Even with her failing eyesight, she said she doesn't think she's too old to stop learning yet.... and so she will persevere.  She does what she still can for herself and graciously accepts the help offered.  She still likes to walk, cook, read, attend church and never misses "Little House on the Prairie."  I begged her to tell my kids the Indian tales she used to tell me.  She is one heck of  a story teller.  I admire her spunk and her wisdom.  

And so it continues....

My Grandma's were and are courageous women who sacrificed much to raise their families and teach them right from wrong.  They made my parents the amazing people that they are.  My parents then sacrificed so much for me and my siblings.  They passed on those great truths again and in turn made me who I am.  Now it's my turn.  I only hope and pray to live up to what these women have taught.  Their legacy is now my goal and it's a beautiful thing.