You might not notice her in a crowd. She is petite and quiet. But my beautiful Grandma Nola is the definition of a lady to me. She has worked tirelessly on our family farm for decades, behind the scenes, managing a household, cooking and baking like no one else I know, an amazing seamstress, raising five successful kids and being a farm wife to my grandpa for 62 years.
Grandma’s hair is always done. Her garden is tremendously bountiful. Her roses bloom all summer. She reads daily, is well-spoken, a devoted Christian, gives of her time and always can find the perfect gift for special occasions.
She loves the color blue. Anything blue. Even the royal blue carpet in her living room that she will never let me replace even when I bring her carpet samples with some new ideas. I love a woman who knows who she is and what she loves. Grandma loves blue carpet!
My grandma was just 49 years old when I was born. She has been a pillar in my life and a loyal friend. But she doesn’t love sitting the basketball stands by me. I am too loud. See the above picture for that example.
While my grandma won’t always agree with me, she loves me unconditionally. I can make her laugh. She teaches me to pay attention to the details, like following recipes. Her home economics college degree has paid off for all of our family. She probably doesn’t realize but I am a better mom, wife and cook because of her. I am also a stronger woman in agriculture because of her example.
Working behind the scenes isn’t flashy and you don’t expect or often receive accolades. But my grandma has done always what was needed for her family and the farm and never asked or expected anything in return. She and I have talked about her not having an off-the-farm career and raising her kids in the house my grandpa’s father built, the house my grandpa was born in. My grandma has built a legacy alongside my grandpa without ever seeking to do anything but what was best for her family.
I strive to be a strong woman and a lady like my grandma because of her example. I know thinks her life hasn’t been glamorous. But I remind her what she has is what thousands of women want. She is rooted in faith, family and farming.
This blog was originally started for my mom and my grandma. No matter what I share in social media, I use my grandma as my filter. I don’t say anything that I think would be disrespectful to her. I never want to offend her. And just recently she said to me, “I know you wrote that for me.”
So today, on my Grandma Nola’s 84th birthday, I am writing this for her again, to pay tribute and honor to one amazing, behind the scenes lady, who loves her family and farm. Happy Birthday Grandma Nola! We love you.
Who is a woman who has impacted your life with her example?
You can also read my mom’s GriggsDakota tribute today to my grandma.
Faith Family Farming Return
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