February is my Grandmother Stewart's birthday month. She lived until she was 95. She had a major influence on my life. Her optimism (in the face a great challenges) was an inspiration to me, especially when I was a single mother myself.
Grandma made the most incredible raisin-filled cookies. I haven't encountered any nearly that good since then. She also made a memorable angel food cake. Grandma would play board games with me and my cousin Pat, and she had us over for sleepovers. One of the funniest incidents I can remember is when Pat and I rode our bikes on the sidewalks of Main Street. Grandma rode on the back seat of Pat's bike. She got her skirt caught in the spokes, and we couldn't get the material out. Eventually, we had to knock on the door of a nearby neighbor to ask for scissors to cut it out. You can imagine what Grandma looked like when we made our way home!!
Grandmother Stewart raised five children on her own after her husband had died at a young age. Since there was no social security to help her back then, she worked at a department store full time, and her children had to survive on their own when she was away from home. My mother was 10 when her father died. Mother and her four siblings became strong, productive, independent people as a result of their circumstances.
Happy Birthday, Grandma
(the photo includes my grandmother, mother, me and Melanie and Natalie)
