A Tribute to Grandma

I am from Grandma J.

I am from my grandma’s fierce independence and strong belief in all people, especially women.

I am from family recipes like spaghetti with meatballs, baked beans, and molasses crinkles.

I am from making your own gifts, learning to sew and embroider, and baking cookies and pies to show love for others.

I am from saving and re-using containers, shopping for bargains, driving economical cars, and sending newspaper articles and letters to people you care about.

I am from an activist who joined the Women’s Liberation movement. I am from learning about current events, speaking out on women’s and social issues, and voting to make people’s lives better and the world a more just place.

I am from a woman who grew and changed with the times—

A woman who lived in the mountains, big city, and suburbs,

A woman who grew up as Mabel during the Depression, later became known by Manning, and chose her identity working outside the home as Lorraine,

A woman who was a daughter, wife, mother, divorcee, Grandma J., gramma, and Grandma- Grandma.

I am from a woman who never thought of herself as old—a health nut who jogged in the 70s, stopped tanning in the 80s, and watched her sodium in the 90s so she lived for one hundred years.

I am from over fifty years of memories of my Grandma Jurgensen who died too young to know the influence she continues to have on me, my family, and my children.