I love the women in my family. I just happened to end up the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter....in other words, the first child, grandchild and great-grandchild. One straight line of strong willed women! My grandmother told me stories about how she remembered sitting in a car with no heat in the middle of a snowstorm, with her 4 siblings, during the depression, while her father went into the bar for 'a' drink and to gamble. My great-grandmother found the courage to go into that male only bar and demand that he bring them home. She was brave. She was filled with only love and gratitude for us grandkids and great-grandkids. She was the glue that kept the family together for a long time. She was simply amazing.
My Memere was a huge source of love and compassion for my Mom and her sisters. I am so honored that I got to experience being her first great-grandchild! (That's me in the first drawing.) These drawings of her were commissioned by my Aunt for her two sisters ..and I did one for my Aunt too. Happy Birthday Judy, Elizabeth and Shelly! Memere's love still shines down on us all.
In my haste to hit the birthday deadline, these got shipped out without being photographed! Thanks for taking these pics of them Mom!