My grandma Helen was an amazingly strong woman. I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with her growing up and she made a huge impression on me. When I was in the 7th grade I wrote a biography about her life. Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) there are many things Grandma did that match the lifestyle I strive for today.
Hard work: Like most kids born in the earlier 1900s Helen grew up on a farm. The farm had an apple orchard, cow pasture, vegetable & flower gardens, and livestock. When my grandfather was drafted to go fight in World War II as a nurse, my Grandma went to go work in the factory. She loved this time and found it very empowering.
Make your own: My grandmother made lots of things; clothing, quilts, hand towels, wines, jellies, breads, pies & canned veggies. There is a great amount of pride to be had in making things on your own.
Love for the earth: Whether is was going for her daily afternoon walk, sitting in a lawn chair with a cup of coffee, or leaving out food scraps for the birds and squirrels. Grandma loved and respected the beauty of nature.
Surround yourself with good people: Grandma always had visitors, some were people you knew and others were new friends. She loved hearing people’s stories and sharing her own.
This week I challenge you to reflect on what Grandma, Grandpa or another senior role model would do. I like to think if Grandma were still alive I could learn and share so much more from her. Thanks Grandma for being a strong role model!