[colleenj]

I didn't know my grandfathers (they died long before I was born) but my maternal grandmother was my favorite. She didn't have an easy life- she had to leave school after 8th grade (both her parents died and she had to go to work). She married young, had 5 children that survived and her husband died young, leaving her with the 5 children. Her relatives suggested she split the children up and let relatives take them. She was not about to "farm her kids out" and she worked 2-3 jobs to keep the family together- back then there was not welfare and she would have worked 4 jobs before she ever "went to the town" to ask for help.
She was kind, no matter how little she had she always would be willing to give a meal to someone with less. The kids never felt deprived as there was a lot of love in the household (and no one had any money back then anyway).
I was the youngest grandchild and she always made me feel special (although I think it was her way- she made each grandchild feel special). She set the example of smiling in the face of adversity, working hard, giving to others, and that food fed the soul and the stomach. I have very fond memories and even though she has been gone 20+ years, I still miss her!