Dear Readers,

This month, let's give a big cheer for GRANDMOTHERS—the amazing ladies full of strength and wisdom we all love.

In every wrinkle, there’s a story waiting to be told. In every gesture of love, there’s a lesson to be learned. Grandmothers, with their endless wisdom and boundless love, are the heart and soul of our families. They are the keepers of our stories, the guardians of our traditions, and the mentors who guide us through life’s journey with their invaluable lessons.

The Legacy of Strength

My grandma Maria was left alone with two kids in her thirties when her husband died unexpectedly. Despite the challenges, she didn’t just make do; she thrived. She boldly started two businesses in our village—a hardware store and a trucking company—something unheard of for women at the time. She taught my dad and uncle not just the business but also the value of hard work and innovation. She sent my dad to business school and bought my uncle a truck, laying the foundation for a family business that lasted for generations. More than the businesses, she left us a legacy of courage and never giving up.

Our grandmas teach us to be strong and brave, not just through their words, but through the lives they’ve lived. They’ve faced challenges with grace, turning obstacles into opportunities. It’s from them we learn that true strength lies in resilience and the courage to keep going, no matter what.

Wisdom in Wrinkles

My grandma Augusta’s face was a map of her remarkable life journey. Every wrinkle told a story of laughter, tears, and the lessons learned in between. She had survived the two world wars, married young, raised 4 children, and worked hard on my grandpa’s farm to provide for her large family. Her strong faith kept her going. She always said, 'Remember, my dear, thank the Lord for what you have every day.' Her resilience and grace taught me the value of every experience.

Each wrinkle on a grandmother’s face tells a story of laughter, love, and hard-earned lessons. These stories, woven into the fabric of our beings, remind us of the values that matter most: kindness, compassion, and perseverance.

Modern Matriarchs

My godmother Sandra, in her 70s, loves learning new things. Even though she jokes about not finishing everything she starts, she's still excited to learn. She's taken classes in drawing, painting, and English, really loving the English classes even though she finds it hard to keep everything in memory. She thinks it's important to learn things step by step. Sandra also likes to knit and crochet, and she makes sure to keep fit by going to the gym regularly. Sandra shows us that you can keep enjoying life and learning new things, no matter how old you are.

Gone are the days when grandmothers were seen only as quiet nurturers confined to the corners of a household. Today’s grandmas are vibrant, active, and deeply engaged in the world around them. They’re making a difference in their communities, proving that life can be just as vibrant at any age.

Gatekeepers of History

My Grandma Maria loved telling me about her sister, Resy. When Resy was in her twenties, she moved from Italy to Switzerland for a better life, even though she didn't know the language or anyone there. She worked hard, learned French, and became a nurse, helping people for over 30 years. In Switzerland, she fell in love and married Jean, a photographer who took many of my baby photos. I still have those photos. Resy made her home in Switzerland and never moved back to Italy. Grandma Maria missed her but was always proud, not sad. She admired Resy’s bravery and the life she built. Grandma's stories about Resy showed me our family's strength and how much we care for each other, no matter the distance. These stories help me know who I am and where I come from. They show how grandmas like Maria keep our family's stories alive.

Grandmothers are our connection to the past. They hold our family stories and histories, sharing them with us like living, breathing books. Through their memories, we gain a sense of identity and belonging, rooted in the knowledge of where we come from.

The Grand Adventure: Grandmas Show It’s Never Too Late

Who says adventure is just for the young? Grandmas everywhere are proving that age is just a number when it comes to exploring and trying new things. They're showing us all how to live life with excitement and not to be afraid of stepping out of our comfort zones, no matter how old we are.

Take my godmother Sandra, for example. She's always loved to travel. Before everything shut down, she had already seen some amazing places, like the Holy Land. Now, with the world opening back up, Sandra's ready to hit the road again. She's got a list of places she wants to see that could fill a book. To her, traveling is more than seeing new places; it's about learning, growing, and making memories.

Teaching Through Time

My mom Gabriella was a pro at teaching us the art of lightness. She always had this way of making life seem a little less heavy. Whether it was a scraped knee or a bad day at school, she could make it seem smaller, less scary. It wasn't that she didn't think problems were important; she just knew that worrying too much wouldn't help. Gabriella taught her grandkids, just by being herself, that you can face life's ups and downs without losing your joy. She showed them that even when things get tough, you can choose to focus on the good, laugh off the small stuff, and keep moving forward with a light heart. This lesson of living lightly is one of the best things she's passed down. Gabriella's way of looking at the world, with ease and a bit of humor, is a reminder to all of us that sometimes, the best way to tackle life is by taking it a little less seriously and enjoying the ride.

Grandmas are like secret keepers of the best life lessons. They've seen it all and share their wisdom in a way that sticks with us. It's not just their stories that teach us, but how they live their lives, showing us that sometimes, the best way to face life is with a smile and not taking everything so seriously.

Pillars of Patience

In a world that’s always rushing, grandmas are the pillars of patience. They remind us of the importance of taking a moment to breathe, to listen, and to be present. Their calmness in the midst of chaos is a lesson in itself.

Take the story of my sister Linda’s mother-in-law, Elsa, for example. Linda was in a tough spot. Our mom wasn’t around to help her out, and her little baby, Beatrice, was having a hard time sleeping through the night. It was a challenging period for Linda, trying to juggle everything on too little sleep. That’s where Elsa stepped in, becoming a living example of patience and kindness. Every morning, without fail, Elsa would come over to Linda’s house. She’d take Beatrice into her arms and just hold her, walking around with her for hours on end. This wasn’t just for a few minutes but for 5-6 hours straight, giving Linda the precious gift of sleep and a short break from the relentless demands of new motherhood. With every step she took, rocking Beatrice gently, Elsa demonstrated a powerful kind of patience that’s rare to find. It’s the kind of patience that says, "Take your time, I’m here for you," without needing any words at all.

The Heart’s Compass

I remember my mom’s advice to my sons, her grandsons, Kyle and Anthony. Both boys had made a big decision to move back to the US, and even though it was tough for Gabriella to see them go, especially with her being unwell and knowing she might not see them much after they left, she faced it with courage and love.

Gabriella knew how important this step was for both Kyle and Anthony. Anthony was particularly young, just 20 years old, stepping into a new chapter of his life. The distance that would be between them and the uncertainty of when they might see each other again could have easily overshadowed that moment. But Gabriella, with the strength and selflessness only a grandmother can muster, chose to focus on their futures instead of her own feelings of sadness.

She gave them advice that was both simple and profound. She told them to carry their faith and their respect for others with them, no matter where they went. This wasn't just advice; it was a guiding principle, a north star for their lives. Her encouragement to Anthony was especially impactful. At a time when doubt could easily take root, Gabriella's words offered him a tremendous boost. She showed him that even in her illness, her love and belief in him were unwavering. She was his cheerleader, telling him that he could handle this big change, that he was ready for whatever came next.

Cultural Curators

Our grandmas keep our family’s culture alive, passing on customs, foods, and languages that define who we are. They are the curators of our heritage, ensuring that the essence of our identity is not lost but cherished and celebrated.

In our family, the role of cultural curator has been beautifully played by our grandmas, Augusta and Maria. Thanks to them, we four sisters have been able to keep alive a treasure trove of family traditions that make us who we are. From Augusta's famous meatballs and stewed eggplants to Maria's unforgettable birthday cake, these recipes are more than just instructions for cooking. They’re a way for us to remember and celebrate our grandmas every time we gather around the dinner table.

But it’s not just about the food, as delicious as it is. They taught us the importance of taking pride in our appearance, like the simple act of ironing our clothes. It might seem small, but it’s a practice that speaks volumes about self-respect and presenting oneself to the world with dignity.

And then there’s the local dialect that’s been passed down to us. In a world where languages are fading away, keeping our local dialect alive is a way of honoring our roots and keeping the essence of our family’s culture vibrant and intact. It’s like having a secret language that binds us, a spoken heritage that we can pass down just as it was passed down to us.

The Grand Love

Grandmas have a special kind of love that makes everything feel better. They don’t have to be related to us by blood to make a big difference in our lives. Like our neighbor Lucia, who felt like a real grandma to us. She’d cook us yummy meals, watch TV with us, and let us help in her garden. One of the coolest things was making wine with her. We’d stomp on grapes with our bare feet, laughing all the while. Those moments with Lucia are some of my happiest memories.

Then there was Antonietta, another wonderful adoptive grandma. Every Sunday after mass, she’d bring us hot chocolate in a thermos along with cookies or homemade sweets. She wanted to thank and praise us for singing in the church choir. It was her way of showing love and appreciation.

Both Lucia and Antonietta showed us that family isn’t just about who you’re related to. It’s about who you care for and who cares for you. Their kindness and love taught us so much about generosity and being part of a community. Adoptive grandmas like them prove that love knows no boundaries.

Now, I invite you to share your stories. Whether it’s a lesson learned, a moment cherished, or a tradition passed down, let’s celebrate these incredible women together. Tell us about the grandmothers, adoptive grandmas, or grandmotherly figures who’ve touched your lives. Let’s celebrate these wonderful women, for they are the true unsung heroes of our stories.

Warm regards,

S.A. Sterling