I knew my grandmother as a little old lady who always wore a dress, a girdle, and sensible shoes. She was kind and often came over to help care for us kids when we were sick. My mom still had four others to look after. She told wonderful stories, one in particular about the ring she wore, it was a beautiful agate. She also had a ring with a stone of snowflake obsidian. I remember those two things so clearly. She passed when I was just nine or ten years old, but I knew exactly who my grandmother was. That is
till I found this picture of her when she was young.
That is not a little old lady in sensible shoes. That is a brave woman not to be pushed aside as being less. For the times, pants and a tie were not the accepted couture for young women. I imagine neither was poling a boat down the river. She was a likely a contrary woman with great spirit, hope and adventure. The books I’ve written are about women just like her, brave and willing to be who they are meant to be. I never knew my grandmother was one of them.
It is that spirit, that joy of life that’s still needed. Nature seems to draw it out. I think that’s why it is so important to encourage young girls to explore and discover the world around them and in so doing, themselves. It will be their strength, their knowledge, and their commitment that will save us from ourselves. Contrary women are drawn to each other, a kind of sisterhood of the heart. It seems I come from a long line of them, I hope I’ve made her proud.
May you be filled with stories of adventure by the time you switch to sensible shoes.
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