A Tribute to the Grandma's

I have been thinking about my Grandma's and how much they both contributed to my life. They were very different in their personalities, but both had wonderful gifts and strengths that I try to emulate and remember.

This is a picture of my maternal Grandma Cleo

I totally credit her with giving me a true picture of who Jesus Christ is. She would spend an hour with me on Saturday's studying the bible and having me memorize scripture. At the time, I didn't appreciate the fact that this cut into my precious Saturday - a day off from school - but when I got older, I realized that this was such a gift and really blessed me beyond my imagination. She was a wonderful cook and baker and since she lived with us, we were the happy recipients of her yummy cooking. She also introduced me to a treat that I wouldn't possibly be able to handle now, but I thought it was the greatest thing when I was little. She would butter a piece of white bread and sprinkle it with sugar. I thought this was just the best! She also indulged my love of coffee by allowing me to drink out of her cup. She loved to tell about the time I was sipping away on her coffee and and I accidentally spilled it. I said, "Oh, oh Grandma! I spilled your half!!" I think I was all of 2 or 3 when this happened and I have no memory of it, but it's embedded in my memory from all the times she shared this story. She taught me how to crochet at the age of 4 and that has been something that has been a constant in my life. My Grandma was my advocate in a household that wasn't always sane or calm. She had the best common sense of anyone I've ever known and she loved the Lord with all her heart. She died when I was 11 and my life was never the same. She touched my life in so many ways and I'm so thankful for her in my life.

My paternal Grandma was full of spit and vinegar and didn't suffer fools gladly. This is a picture of my Grandma, Theresa Marguerite (don't you love that name?)

She was an absolutely wonderful cook and I am still striving to make a Thanksgiving dinner that would compare to hers. It's been over 30 years since I ate one of her dinners, and I can still remember the delicious food she always had. My Dad was her "baby" even though he was her oldest. She also doted on me and I remember my Dad and I loved Onion Dip and she would always, and I mean always, have that ready for us when ever we went to visit her. She also crocheted and made me a really cute granny square bag. She wasn't a grandma who cuddled or even hugged, but I knew she loved me and I felt proud that my mother thought I was so much like her. I admired my Grandma for being able to see through people and know what they were all about. She also had a crazy sense of humor and would lay out some real zingers. She also loved animals that way I do. Here is a picture of her with her beloved poodle, Buttons

She allowed her poodle to practically run the house and I knew that was much more normal than our house where no animals were allowed in on the carpet at all. Her little Buttons was a source of comfort to her in later years when she got breast cancer and was going through so much. She inspired me to get a poodle - the first thing I asked for right after getting married. I've never been without a poodle since.

Both my Grandma's were very strong ladies. They had both been through tremendous trials and could still smile and enjoy their families. I pray that I end up being half the women they were!

God bless you ~ Julie