Prologue 

     

Grandparents are special people to their grandchildren, but grandmothers in particular, are extraordinarily special people, and mine is no exception. I was fortunate enough to live nearby and able to visit with her often while I was very young.

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She was good at making every visit special and memorable; even the ordinary meal with Gramma and Pa was never really ordinary. There was always a story to tell – a glimpse into the world and the woman she was before I existed.   

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Being the only granddaughter in my family, Gramma and I had a lot of tea parties, talks and laughter. Yes, I will admit, I was a little spoiled. Neither of us knew it at the time, but she would become my best friend as an adult and the only one I know who truly knew how to show unconditional love while being calmly objective, no matter what. 

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I took her for granted; she was always there for me. I didn’t realize any of this until well into my adulthood and Gramma was in a “retirement home” and I could no longer just call her up on the phone and engage in real conversation with her. 

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Unfortunately, dementia was beginning to show its ugly head. We had talked on a nearly weekly basis for many, many years now. She was the one I turned to for advice because she always gave reasonable advice; not just what she thought I should do. She was always rational, practical and more loving than anyone I’ve ever known.    

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A short, petite redhead, she was the strongest, yet gentlest woman I have ever known. She was full of fire and had a heart so big and so loving, she touched every life that she came into contact with. She endured through many difficult life challenges, and yet she always maintained a positive outlook for the future, no matter what her circumstances were. She was a force to contend with and always overcame whatever obstacle she faced.

 

My earliest memories of her are as a very small child, being held in her arms in a particular wood rocking chair, singing, “You Are My Sunshine” or “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.” It was so comforting to me. Whenever I think of her, my mind immediately flies back to the early seventies and all the wonderful, carefree summers I spent with her and my grandfather, Pa. Life couldn’t have been any

better.

 

Her story is one full of many hardships; but the thing I remember the most, is her tenacity in overcoming obstacles, maintaining a good, positive attitude throughout, and her passion for living life while always helping others. She never felt sorry for herself. But that, I think, was her secret to getting through the difficult times in life: stop focusing on your problems, go help others. “When you are busy helping others, you take the focus off yourself and pretty soon your problems take care of themselves,” she always told me. I have found that she was right, so I always trusted her advice and words of wisdom.     

 

During our visits, we would have tea and dessert and she would entertain me with tales of her many interesting experiences in life. Pa was always the quiet one in his recliner smoking his pipe, listening. I loved the smell of his fresh tobacco, even though everyone was always after him to quit. I can still smell it as I write this and the memories begin to flow…   

 

As I sat down each day to work on this book, I realized that I’m making cup after cup of tea. At first, I attributed it to the dreary winter weather we were having. But I guess drinking tea, be it hot or iced, stormy and rainy, or sunny and warm; will always remind me of my grandmother and the many special memories and thoughts of her that come to mind and I have to smile.    

 

This small collection of stories are only moments of time that I spent with her, but they are my most precious, priceless memories. She didn’t know she was creating such special times for me, but that was just who she was; loving, honest and unassuming. She was a special woman to anyone who knew her and was well known and much loved in her community. I personally owe her a great deal, and the gift of writing her story is my attempt to give tribute to the awesome woman she was and who I will always strive to be like.