Grandma Jeanne

Ever since Tom issued the "challenge" to us all to post a memory of Grandma every day, I've been contemplating what to write about her.  As we have all mentioned, there are so many memories surrounding her, our family, the house, our gatherings, etc.  And it's an incredibly unique thing to have that - as almost all of us have discovered as we've entered adulthood and realized that not every family is that lucky.  I think Matt's cousin toast at the cemetery was incredibly poignant and true - we all have our differences in opinion and can all be very opinionated (much like our matriarch) but we don't let it brood distrust and hurt feelings.  We are a very open family - which is a characteristic Grandma embodied daily.  We learned to take each other where we were in our season of life by the example Grandma showed us all.

I remember before the family picnic in Great Falls at Giant Springs when Abe was dating Karla.  I don't know why or how we were talking about it, but he wondered if Grandma would be okay with Karla and the fact that she is black.  I said I don't think Grandma would care one way or the other as long as she was nice.  That sentiment rang true throughout her entire life.

Living with her opened my eyes to who Grandma was as a person and not just my Grandma.  Her faith was incredibly deep and pious and it was shown by the way she lived.  She didn't spout scripture or vocalize her prayers or demand we attend Mass or pray daily or seek forgiveness when we wronged others.  She showed us how to do that.  That is something I cease to be amazed at.  It is hard to find a genuine Christian Catholic person who lives their faith the way Grandma did.  She was do adept at adapting to many of life's changes - challenges of kids, losing her husband, drastic changes in her home parish, moving in her older years.

Her actions are an example for which to strive.  We should all be inclined to look a bit more on the brighter side, treat others with a bit more kindness, laugh a bit more, and be honest with others.  Grandma did and it was appreciated.

I remember when Charlie was born and we told Grandma we had named her Charlotte with a nickname Charlie.  She replied without hesitation, "Oh Bid would be so happy.  But I'm not calling her Charlie.  That's a boy's name and a stupid name for a girl."  It made me smile then and now.

She didn't say things "like that" to hurt feelings.  They were her opinion and she was going to be honest.  And it didn't offend because she loved so much we knew the intent wasn't to offend.  There is being honest then there is being brutally honest with the latter seeming to lean more towards hurting than helping.  Grandma was the former.   She was a blessed soul and one we were incredibly lucky to have as a Grandma.
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On a lighter note and piggy-backing on a story Mom shared:  when I was living with her, we went to Taco Treat for dinner.  As usual, she ordered her two tacos and a beer.  However, one of the Taco Treats had been caught in a recent sting by the police department.  Therefore they were carding everyone.  Grandma hadn't grabbed her driver's license, just some cash.  Therefore, the cashier said she couldn't give her a beer.  She guffawed at this until she realized the cashier was serious.  I then said "Don't worry Grandma.  I have mine.  I'll buy you beer."  First time I've had to buy beer for someone 60 years my senior!