To be clear, Evelyn was much more likely to be holding a garden hoe than a scepter, or plucking and preparing a pheasant in her 1960s kitchen than dining on it in opulence.
First, let's look at Her Majesty:
However, just as The Queen, grandma loved English gardens, and was wont to plant roses, snapdragon and foxglove. She enjoyed using words like "splendid" and "astonishing" and similarly was known to wear clothes that mimicked the hues of her favorite flowers. And if she dressed up, you can count on there being a brooch securely fastened to her dress or her jacket. Both women were very sensible about their shoes. Both approach life with thriftiness and eye for detail. But most of all, I see that both women have wielded formidable control over their respective empires, and demanded respect through a lifetime of hard work.
Now, here is a picture with Evelyn at my wedding in 2003.
My grandmother's life did not belong to the public. But she was, indeed, supreme monarch of the VanDyke clan, and her legacy within our family will last as long as that of the world's longest-ruling monarch.
You have created such a wonderful visual of Grammie. I am sure she is giggling, and has that cute face that she use to make, while she is reading your blog. She would be very proud of all that you do and will become.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the memories.