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I was a very fortunate child. My family lived in the same house as my grandparents. Living with them was something that I will treasure all of my days. Today grandparents sometimes live far away from their grands, and don't really get to be a true grandparent.

My grandparents were poor immigrants. They both spoke very little English, but they were the epitome of grandparents. They never spoiled us to the extent of buying us things that we did not need. They taught life's lessons in a most unique way.

My grandmother worked for the Railroad cleaning Pullman cars. I saw her go to work daily, walking over three miles to and three miles home again. She never missed a day, even when she was ill. I was taught a valuable lesson by her perseverance, give your all when you promise to do something. She knew that if she did not attend work, it would leave more work for the other ladies. She was considerate.

My grandfather worked in a bronze factory and had contracted lead poisoning. He could work no longer, so he stayed home. My grandmother would cook a good meal every day for him, keep his clothes washed, and managed to keep the house clean, also. She taught me to be a caring person and to fulfill my responsibilities.

When I felt sorry for myself, she would always take me aside and cancel my pity party. She kept me busy dusting, and helping her around the house. She felt that idle hands were the devil's workshop.

She loved to dance and on her days off, she liked to socialize with her friends. She would have the radio on and be listening to music while she ironed, etc. She loved to go places, such as the local church bazaars, visiting her friends, etc. She would take me along and she taught me social graces.

She would bake pies and cakes. We lived near the railroad tracks and she would always bake an extra pie/cake in case a hobo would come by and need something to eat. She packed sandwiches, water, and other things in a bag when she would see someone who needed a good meal. She always had a dress or two that she would give to someone who did not have anything decent to wear to the Doctor.

My grandfather was a quiet man. He did not say much, but went along with whatever my grandmother wanted to do. Since he was home and could not work, he would volunteer to be the pall bearer at funerals at his church. People, in those days, worked and that was a hard thing to find. He had a green thumb and had the most gorgeous garden. Church ladies would come by and he always made sure that they had a bouquet or two of flowers to put on their altars or in their church.

I was taught some of life's most valuable lessons. They might not have known much English, but their actions taught me more than their words.

Learn more about this author, Kathy Trower.
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