My Adopted Grandma

God is gracious. He sends people and critters into our lives for reasons that are mysteries to us when they happen, but as we look back we understand why He sent who He sent.

Butters came along after Gracie passed away; Lula came along just as Finley was preparing to join Gracie and Woody.

In 1987, my Nanny (grandmother) passed away on December 23 — fifteen minutes before Christmas Eve.  She’d lived with us for 15 years. She was a great friend, feisty competitor — ask anyone who dared to play a game of Scrabble with her — and tough as nails.   She was born in September 1912. My younger brother never failed to remind her that she was born only five months after the Titanic sank. During World War II, she worked at US Steel in Chicago.  I believe she was a supervisor.  We always said that had she been born in a different time, she would have earned her PhD. She was that smart.   But I digress…

After Nanny passed away, I was rudderless. She was our pal. She was always there when we returned from school. And then God sent Evelyn into my life.

Evelyn is feisty. One July 4th, our congressman wanted a man he called and “Afghani Freedom Fighter” to ride with us in a local parade. She stood toe-to-toe with this guy poking him in the chest saying,”He’s not getting on this float. He’s not making my  kids a target. He can ride with you!”  Years later, and lots of research later, a friend of mine discovered that our Evelyn was not too far from the truth.  The man she denied access to was apparently a card- carrying member of Al Queda.

About 7 years ago, we celebrated her 80th birthday — on St. Patrick’s Day. Didn’t know that she’d been adopted. But it explained a lot. She has a BIG heart and a BIG smile.  She had met a lot of people over 80 years, so when her daughters asked us each to supply a page for a scrapbook, they were overwhelmed by the response.  Congressmen, Senators, elected officials of all sorts, golf friends and a gaggle of “youngsters” (We were in our mid-30’s at this point)  all provided pages. 

Oddly, my friend and I recalled the parade where she stood down Al Queda. Chris heard the whole exchange. My recollection was much different.

Evelyn was snapping photos, and I assumed it was of the float we designed together. I was wrong!  She said, “Suzi, look on the balcony.”  So  I looked. There were 5 smokin’ hot men  — one in nothing but his BVD’s — on the balcony watching the pre-parade festivities, and there was Evelyn recording the view for posterity!  I do admit, she has excellent taste in men. I expected nothing less.

Blissfully, Evelyn is still with us. Still getting along in her late 80’s. We love her. We love that she was so willing to play the role of grandma for us after losing ours. She is a treasure, and we’re so happy to have claimed her.  

BTW… Evelyn had a rescued schnauzer named CB, short for Code Blue. CB had coded as a puppy and was recussitated. Yep, another pet person!