She was born just as the Spanish influenza pandemic was ending. In fact, in the same month. She was born just 8 years after the Titanic sank, and she was just 9 years old when the depression hit.  In living through all of this, I wonder what she would have said.

I can picture her standing in the kitchen with her dish towel draped over one shoulder. She made the best macaroni and cheese. I remember her knitting a lot. She made several babies their first pair of shoes, booties.

She had her first child at 17 and buried a son in 1990 at the age of 70. In 3 short months later, she buried her husband. And I wonder what she would have said.

She did not have much need for driving since they lived in Uniontown, and she could walk to get her groceries or go to work. I don’t remember her ever driving even though I think she knew how at one point. When I turned 16 and brought my car over to her house, I never asked what she thought, but I wonder what she would have said.

She lived 16 years longer than her husband. She watched grandchildren grow. When she had another stroke, she never spoke again. And if she could have said something, I wonder what she would have said.

I don’t remember her saying anything about the things she’d been through-the depression, having a baby as a teenager, burying her son and husband in the same year.  In fact, she was a woman of few words, but I knew she loved us. What I remember was a woman that took action in her own quiet way- cooking food for her family, working, and making things for others.

Now during this time of uncertainty, I wonder what she would said, but then again, I don’t. She wouldn’t have to. Her actions spoke loud enough. She would have protected her family, stayed at home, and would endure.

A lesson we could all learn from.