I have written about my parents and grandparents a few times in this column. I am fortunate enough to have been raised by a close-knit family who has spent a good deal of time together in every stage of my life. It is that time spent together that has shaped me into the person I am today.
It is usually around this time in May when I reflect upon the female role models I’ve had in my life: my mother, maternal grandma, Bev, and paternal grandma, Helen.
My mom is my hero. I have said this countless times. I’m still trying to be like her “when I grow up.” Phyllis Rodgers is synonymous with the term hardworking. I wrote a lengthy column about her strength a couple years ago, and let me tell you, nothing has changed in two years. It still baffles me all the things she can get accomplished in a single day, and still be ready to get up the next day and do it all over again. Idleness is not in her nature — she knows no other way.
I relish in every moment I get to spend at Grandma Bev’s. She is such a great story-teller. Her memory is fantastic. She talks about things that go on last week and things that happened 50 years ago.
I admire her so much. She has been on her own for nearly 30 years. I know her heart still hurts at times from losing Grandpa, but when you see her with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her heart is full. She enjoys all the times we can get together as a family, or just when a few stop by for a visit. Anyone of us would do anything for her, and it takes a special kind of woman to have been through what she has and still have the joy for life she does.
The one woman I wish could still share my life’s accomplishments with would be Grandma Helen. As many memories as I have from Grandma Bev’s house, I have plenty more from time spent at Grandpa and Grandma Rodgers’ house in Garwin. They were our babysitters growing up. She fed us, played with us and washed us up when we got dirty playing outside. She shared our smiles when we found a new adventure to tell and kissed boo-boos when we scraped our hands and knees.
She was never rich, but she was rich with love and affection for her family. We always had everything we needed when we were with Grandma Helen.
She would have been 103 in April. It would have been amazing if she had lived this long; however, I know she probably wouldn’t have lived to see today. That doesn’t stop me from wishing we would have had a few more years with her. Nevertheless, God had other plans and ended her suffering before Alzheimer’s took her mind completely. It’s been 17 years without her, and I still wish I could have her at my wedding next year. Even though she is not here physically, her faith was so resolute, there isn’t a doubt in my mind she has been with me every step of the way and will continue to be with me in spirit.
Wedding planning sort of brings the future to mind; and if all goes to plan, I hope to have a daughter to pass along all I have learned from these three ladies. I only hope I can teach her to have strength like Phyllis, have heart like Bev and have faith like Helen.
Women like this shouldn’t be celebrated just on one Sunday in May. They should be celebrated every second of every day. God bless mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, stepmothers and all women everywhere who show every little girl just how special women are in this world. You are truly the guiding light of our future.
Contact Pam Rodgers at
prodgers@newtondailynews.com