A Grandmother's Legacy

Wow, I have not posted in a while. Sorry for the absence, the spring of this year has and continues to be very busy. During March my 96 year old grandmother passed away. The experience of being with her in her final weeks was at times consuming and I have continued to process her life and our loss of her presence with us.

I have intended to write something about her life and her encouragement of me as her grandson. As I have reflected on my experiences with her, my most fond memories are of sharing stories of her childhood and early adult years. She grew up in northern Georgia and except for a short time on the west coast, lived in that area most of her life. She was the last surviving sibling in her family though she was not the youngest. She was a short woman, but size was not a reflection of her true strength and determination. Her father lost the family farm due to economic stresses before she was born and she grew up watching him work with determination in various jobs to provide for his family. She carried this strength into her own early adulthood. She married my grandfather and they remained married for over fifty years.

One of my favorite memories that my grandmother shared with me was that prior to being married, as a young working adult in southern TN, she was part of a mountain climbing club. I did not know this about my grandmother until she was at least 90 years old, but it gave us something that we shared. I had led several groups of at-risk youth on climbing and rappelling adventures in the Rockies in CO. Climbing mountains has given me some of my most difficult but also rewarding moments. I have wished I could have walked with my grandmother in early 20’s as she climbed those peaks of the Great Smokies. I have some old black and white photos of her climbing conquests that serve as reminders of her strength and resilience.

Hearing the stories of our family history is important. Though I know of some stories from my family that stretch back generations, just knowing what our parents have done in the past can be helpful. Children will frequently enjoy listening to parents share of their experiences as a child. These family stories provide a sense of identification and connection that build strong bonds. Find some time this weekend and share a story or two with your child. The benefits will last a long time.

My Grandmother on a mountain in Tennessee.

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