I come from a long line of ‘workers’.
The enthusiastically employed, I’ll call them.
People who believed in hard work and industry. That idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
My grandma Stringam is one of the first and foremost in that long line.
The things she managed to accomplish in her lifetime are varied . . . and astounding.
Raising eleven children would probably be considered a good life’s work. But she didn’t stop there. She served her family and entire community as nurse, midwife, secretary, teacher, general aide, social leader and counselor.
Her husband passed away in 1959 at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer.
Grandma was 74 at the time and had worked many long years.
Most of us (ie. me) would have relaxed and coasted gently into our sunset years.
But Grandma decided that what she needed was a new interest.
She had dabbled in crafts most of her life. When time allowed.
Now she became serious about mastering them.
Especially weaving.
She purchased a large, floor loom.
And spent many of her waking hours (and a few of her sleeping ones, I’m sure) seated at that loom.
Creating amazing works of art.
Which she then fashioned into other works of art.
Every one of her numerous grandchildren received something from the talented hands of their grandmother.
I received several. Each carefully crafted and beautiful.
At the age of 75, Grandma, who was also serving as the Work Director for her church, was asked to travel to Salt Lake City to do a demonstration on weaving. She packed up her loom, 68 articles to display, her daughter and a long-time friend. And did it.
The demonstration.
At 75.
Grandma is one of my heroes.
Her example gives me the courage to try new things.
I love you, Grandma!
Sundays are for my Ancestors.
Tell me about yours!
She was an amazing woman indeed. Very fond of my own grandmothers. My dads mom, Grandma Espey, came to Canada steerage at the age of ten ,with her Mom and two siblings to meet up with her father who had gone ahead to prepare a place for them. She too was very talented in sewing, knitting, crochet, tatting, copper engraving, painting etc etc and one heck of a good cook. Mom Moms gram was a business woman, member of the Professional Womens Organization, a master of finance, hostess, housekeeper and one heck of a good cook as well. Neither one, however, can lay claim to eleven children. That is just simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing lady! And yes, a hard, hard worker.
ReplyDeleteYou look very much like your grandma, Diane, at least to my eyes.
What an inspirational woman. And I have no doubt she did inspire a lot of people. Family, and others...
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by your Grandma. I used to think weaving was a simple thing, since then I've read about it on Joanne's blog and seen a five minute demonstration by my neighbour V and I realise just how much is involved.
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