Unlikely mentor

My grandmother.

I believe one of the most influential people in my life.

Was she a PhD? Run her own company? Ever hold a paying job?

Nope.

She was a poor Pa Dutch girl educated to the eighth grade in a one room schoolhouse. Helped her father in his painting business until she married. Then has spent the rest of her life, raising five children, with an alcoholic husband, most of her life in a two bedroom glorified shack, with barely enough money to buy groceries. Then, loved, cared for and baby sat countless grandchildren and great grandchildren. Never drove a car. Never held a job outside the home in her married life. Never contributed to society in any of the ways one is often measured as "successful" in this day and age.

But she has taught me more than I believe anyone else in my life.

She taught me to love no matter what. Even those who may hurt you.
She taught me to appreciate some of the things I hold most dear to me now.
My love of the outdoors, long walks in the woods, taking time to appreciate God's creation.
My love of baking and cooking, and the many fond memories I have of large family meals. Let me get right in there and help cut cookies and seal pickle jars.
Gardening and the enjoyment of fresh vegetables.
My love of playing cards and particularly pinocle.
Taught me to appreciate how sheets smell fresh off the line.
She taught me to make do, appreciating what we have.
Humility. She is the most humble person I know. Would never dream of cheating another person, offers her seat and place in line more times than I could ever count.
She taught me to always make the best of a situation.
Be faithful. God's plan is in there somewhere.
She taught me to be frugal. This woman can stretch a dollar farther than anyone I know, and when I indulge myself, I can always hear her comment in my head "that is so dear". To her, "Dear" was expensive.
She taught me acceptance and unconditional love. She played with us. Included us in what ever she was doing. Never judged how we were doing something, just praised us just the same.
She may never have graduated highschool, but never stopped exercising her mind. Until her memory started to go was always reading, and doing puzzles to keep herself sharp.
She taught me to be strong. She worked hard every day.
She taught by example and rarely had to raise her voice.
She loves without ever expecting anything in return.

Even now, as I watch her grow old, and she is beginning to fail, she continues to teach me. Insists on paying her way, when she has nothing. Can not accept the fact that it simply brings me joy to help her and to spend that time with her. She is appreciative and kind to every single person who helps her where she lives. She continues to love and be accepting of her children even now as they rarely visit her, she is never bitter. As she sits and wonders why God continues to allow her to live, when she feels she is no longer useful, she still says that He must have a plan for her.

I am so blessed that my children have had a chance to know her, although I wish they could know her the way I did when I was their age.

No, she has not made her mark in this world the way most people measure success, but I can only hope in my life I am half the woman that she is, and can teach my children and grandchildren the way she has taught me.

I love you Granny. *kiss*