In Honor Of
Today was a very special day. Extremely special. You see, 102 years ago today a little baby girl named Jennie May was born. She was born in Ohio, but moved here to Colorado with her family when she was a little girl. They rode the train here, powered by an old steam locomotive. They settled on a homestead here, where her father farmed and provided for his family until he died. He died at a young age. Life was hard back then. Her mother raised Jennie and her brothers and sisters by herself from then on. Quite a difficult thing for a woman to do in those days.
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Jennie grew up into a fine young woman. She was strong-willed, strong-minded and had a strong moral belief system. She was a God-fearing woman whose faith never faultered even once. She eventually met the love of her life, James Dale. They married and began planning their own family. Unfortunately, they endured much heartache when Jennie experienced multiple miscarriages. But finally they were blessed with a beautiful baby daughter, whom they named Beverly. They adored their little girl! Jim worked very hard to support his loving little family, and so did Jennie. She was the business manager at the old Good Samaritan Hospital here in town. She eventually stopped working outside the home, though, and stayed home to raise Beverly. During the war they moved for a time to Portland, Oregon, where Jim worked in the ship yards. By that time, Beverly was a teenager. She graduated from High School in Portland. After the war they all moved back here to Colorado. Beverly met a handsome man named Stacey, whom she married. The two of them set out on their life together, starting their own family. They became the parents of 3 little girls. I am number three.
Much to my mother's sadness, my parents divorced when I was just a baby. At that time they lived in another town here in Colorado, so my father moved us back to the same hometown where Mom had been raised by my Grandparents, Jennie and Jim. Then he left.
We lived right across the street from my Grandparents. Mom had to work, of course, so their house was our second home, and they always kept an eye on us. Grandma had, without a doubt, forever established herself as the matriarch of the family. She was a woman of high character and intelligence, and was way ahead of her time in many different areas; one of which was the implementation of an holistic form of taking care of oneself. She voraciously read all that she could on holistic medicine and adopted the lifestyle for herself and my Grandfather, and saw to it that we all learned it, as well. She also strongly believed in reflexology and would come over to rub our feet for us whenever we didn't feel well. She and Grandpa .... they were, and still are, our guardian angels. Life was hard for my mother, trying to raise the three of us all by herself. My Grandparents were always there for us, giving us whatever we needed; helping us with whatever we might need help with; taking care of us when we were sick; and so much more. Grandma rocked me in her big red rocker and sang hymns to me. It was on her knee that I learned of God and His love for me.
She was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She had the most beautiful skin I've ever seen on any person in my life. When she passed on 12 years ago, she hardly had a wrinkle. Her wavy white hair shone every day; her smile lit up her whole face; and her gray eyes twinkled with love for her family.
Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to know she lived, and lived well. And she loved .... completely. And this world was a better place while she was in it. Especially my world. She was, and is, and always will be, loved.
Happy Birthday, Grandma!
xoxoxoxo
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When we were little, our grandparents lived on about 1 acre of land on the outskirts of Sterling. What a perfect place to grow up and visit, as we lived just across the street. On the south side of their driveway were the house, and Grandpa's vegetable gardens, yard and his flowers. An old barn was in back, which we would play in and on! :-) On the north side of the
drive was "the forest" (so nicknamed by every kid in the neighborhood). Trees abounded, with plenty of land to play hide and seek, and to build forts, and for the little girls in the neighborhood, many tea parties with our dolls! A perfect tree was at the beginning of the drive, with two branches growing out at perfect angles for me to sit up there for hours, and read, or watch people in the neighborhood, and talk to those who walked by.
Our grandparents welcomed every child.
The town grew up around their little acre. When Grandma and Grandpa passed, we had to auction the land and house, and our little acre of pure heaven was turned into townhouses with paved streets. A huge piece of our history was gone, but we still have our wonderful loving memories of Grandma and Grandpa, and all of the joy and happiness we found there. Happy Birthday, Grandma......we love you!
Thoughtfully shared by: OABS at January 31, 2003 10:45 PM
This was beautiful. You know that I (and Min) both share your love of Grandmothers, they are truly special gifts from God. Happy Birthday Leighs Grandma. Heaven must be a more special place with Grandmothers in it. :)
Thoughtfully shared by: Jen at January 31, 2003 11:14 PM
that was absolutely beautiful. I know your grandma knows how much you love her and is beaming. :) ((((Leigh))))
Thoughtfully shared by: Alex at February 1, 2003 12:00 AM
well you already know of my love for my gram... thank you so much for sharing the love and abrief story o fyour gram:))))
hugs they impact us all our lives
love you
me
be gentle with you
Thoughtfully shared by: fae poet at February 1, 2003 05:47 AM
Leigh,
What is the meaning of life? Who cares? It's the meaning in life that matters. And the stories of our lives are what give the whole thing meaning. Thanks for telling this story about your grandmother and your family. Our loved ones who have passed from this earth are well and alive in our hearts which reside with them in eternity. Happy Birthday Jennie! Without you, we would not be having this conversation now...and that's just how the whole thing hangs together.
Thoughtfully shared by: thatmark at February 1, 2003 06:14 AM
There is a thread that runs through us, a cord, drawn tight and encased within the years of life. It is anchored in the ancient past and tied, momentarily to our heart. It plays the music of the ages, strummed by laughter and weeping. It sings the clarion song of family and we can always hear it humming, vibrating within us...if we listen.
Thank you for the stillness, and for sharing your family song.
Thoughtfully shared by: Theo at February 1, 2003 06:32 AM
To a very special girl's grandma..."Happy Birthday!":) Unfortunately I never knew any of my grandmas. My dad's mum died before I was even born, and my other gran, well I was only three when she passed. I have one memory of her :) One morning, before heading off to the market, she popped me up onto the kitchen table to sew a button back onto my little velvet blue dress. Mum cannot believe I actually remember her doing that. After all, I was only 3. Thanks for sharing your precious and beautiful memories of your grandma and grandpa. I just know they look upon you, my friend, with soooo much pride! :)
Big hugs,
Thoughtfully shared by: Debbie at February 1, 2003 04:24 PM
Thanks so much for sharing these family memories with us. This type of blogging/journaling is one of the things I truly love reading.
Thoughtfully shared by: Brandy at February 1, 2003 04:53 PM
Lovely. I came to Colorado at the advance age of six weeks (riding in the overhead compartment) and have yet to find sufficient reason to live elsewhere.
Blog on.
Thoughtfully shared by: Jim at February 5, 2003 06:20 PM
A beautiful tribute to Grandma "Popper"! I thought of her throughout that day also. Memories, oh what sweet memories!
Thoughtfully shared by: Kelly at February 7, 2003 10:32 PM
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