Introduction
My grandmother played such a huge role in making me who I am today. She grew up during the Great Depression, so she knew how to make the most of what she had and taught us the same. Even when times were tough and we didn’t have much, she made sure we never felt poor. She had this way of stepping in and gently guiding me, smoothing out the bumps caused by my parents' missteps. She always kept me on the right path, and I’ll forever be grateful for the strength, wisdom, and love she shared with me.
The First Time I Met Her
I’ll never forget the first time I met my grandma. We were living in California when she and my grandpa came for a visit. It was a big deal for my brother and me—our first time going to the San Diego Zoo! I still remember the excitement of seeing all the animals and how they made it extra special by buying me a panda bear stuffed animal. I played tea with "Sue" regularly after Grandma and Grandpa left.
What truly stuck with me was when she sat me down and taught me my very first craft. We made a yarn pom-pom together—it was for her suitcase so she could spot it easily on the luggage carousel. Looking back, it might seem like a small thing, but it meant the world to me. It was her way of connecting, of showing me something creative and practical at the same time. That simple yarn pom-pom wasn’t just a craft; it was a memory, a lesson, and a little piece of her that stayed with me long after their visit.
Living with Her in Chicago
When my family lost their business and home, everything changed overnight. My brother and I were put on a plane to Chicago in the middle of the night. It was a whirlwind, but one thing stayed the same—Grandma. When we arrived, she was just like I remembered her from years before at the zoo: calm, steady, and full of love.
She got right to work making sure we were okay. The first thing she did was enroll us in grammar school, giving us a sense of routine and normalcy. Life in Chicago was so different, but Grandma found ways to make it feel special. My grandfather had passed away the year before, but we’d visit the beauty supply business they had built together. My brother and I loved riding up and down in the freight elevators, pretending we were adventurers.
Then there were Minnie and Ann, the two lovely women who worked for my grandparents for years. Whenever we stopped by, they’d give us little treats and make us feel so welcome. Looking back, those moments were such a gift during a time that could have felt really uncertain. Grandma, as always, made sure we felt safe and loved, no matter what was going on.
Her Lessons and Frugal Ways
Over the years, my mom sometimes got frustrated with how frugal Grandma was—like when she’d cut soap and sponges in half to make them last longer. But to me, that was just who she was. Growing up during the Great Depression, those habits became second nature to her, and honestly, I found them kind of endearing.
Without even realizing it, I absorbed so much from her. She taught me how to use a canner, grow a garden, and make meals from scratch with whatever we had on hand. Grandma had this amazing way of making do and turning little into enough, and those lessons stuck with me for life. She even learned how to use Grandpa’s drill to make something special—drilling holes into 16 sugar cubes and stringing them with ribbons to create a ‘sweet 16.’ On top of all that, she showed me how to keep moving forward, no matter how tough life got. Her strength and determination were inspiring, and those lessons have stayed with me to this day.
Taking Her Lessons Into Adulthood
After I got married, all the things Grandma taught me came right along with me. Her tricks for stretching what we had and making it work were lifesavers during some really tough times. But the hardest moments weren’t just about money or making things last—they were about finding the strength to keep going. That’s where my faith in Jesus Christ became so important.
Even though I didn’t grow up with much formal religious teaching, after I got married, I started really seeking it out. I wanted to understand more, to build that connection, and it made such a difference. Knowing Jesus was with me through it all gave me strength I didn’t even know I had. Between Grandma’s lessons and my growing faith, I found a way to keep moving forward no matter what came my way.
The Day She Passed Away
In 1990, my world was turned upside down when Grandma passed away suddenly. I was completely crushed. The thought that she’d never get to meet my future children or see how my life unfolded weighed so heavily on my heart. As Mom and I went through her things, we discovered just how much she had saved—she was a bit of a hoarder and kept stacks of papers. The pile was supposed to be in order, with the newest on top and the oldest at the bottom, but somehow, it felt like there was a bit of divine intervention at play.
I was 24 at the time, sitting on the floor, crying as I sorted through the papers. It was overwhelming, all those memories and emotions tangled together. Then, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks. It was a poem she had saved, dated all the way back to when she came to California to visit us and take my brother and me to the San Diego Zoo when I was 6. The poem titled Remember Me and started with ‘Do not shed tears.’
At that moment, it felt like she—or maybe even Jesus Himself—was reaching out to comfort me and Mom. How did that poem, with its message of love and reassurance, end up at the very top of the stack? I’ll never know. But what I do know is that it gave me a sense of peace in a time when everything felt so heavy. It was as if Grandma was still watching over us, reminding us not to despair but to hold on to the memories and the love she left behind.
The Letters She Left Behind
Even now, some of the things I hold closest to my heart are the letters I found in that pile of papers. They were hidden gems—letters she wrote to her mom and to my mom over the years.
Reading through them was like stepping into her world. I could feel her love and care in every single word. It was like she was sharing bits of herself with me, and I’m so grateful to have those pieces of her to hold onto. Those letters aren’t just old papers—they’re reminders of her love, her story, and the deep connection she had with our family
Rooted in Her Love and Faith
Grandma’s love, her wisdom, and her faith continue to be a guiding light in my life. She taught me how to navigate hard times with grace, how to appreciate the little things, and how to stay rooted in faith no matter what. Through her frugality, her resilience, and her unshakable love for her family, she left me with lessons that shaped the person I am today.
Even now, I see her influence in the way I approach challenges, the way I care for my family, and the way I hold onto my faith in Jesus Christ. Her life was a blessing, and I carry her memory with me every single day.
To anyone reading this, I hope her story reminds you of the power of love, faith, and perseverance. And if you’re lucky enough to still have your grandmother in your life, hold her close and cherish every moment.
In Joy, Ginny
