My kids won’t ever meet their Grandma Barbara, but she’s always here with us.
She’s with her grand-daughter (and namesake), Barbara, whenever she does an art project. She’s with her grandson, Tommy, whenever he goes to the beach. She’s with my wife and I whenever we do anything with our kids.
You see, Grandma Barbara was one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. One of her grandchildren described her in this way, “Grandma was the one person I know that achieved everything that she ever wanted to.”
She gave birth to twelve kids, the youngest of whom was my wife. She was the matriarch to an incredible family, which now includes 48 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. After raising all of her kids, she went back to graduate school for art. She created art pieces that are now scattered through all of her children’s homes.
I know all of Grandma Barbara’s kids, but the one I know best was raised to become a beautiful, strong, kind, empathetic, loving woman.
I only got to spend about three years with my other “mom,” and I must say she left quite an impression on me.
She immediately took me in like a son, and made sure that I would always take care of her daughter.
She brought her passion for design and art to our wedding, where she decorated the entire room.
When asked how she could divide her love between all twelve of her kids, she said, “You don’t divide your love…you multiply it.”
On this Mother’s Day, I just wanted to say, “We love you, Grandma Barbara!”