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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-05-14, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015. PAGE 23. Continued from page 20 relished in the details and it showed in everything that she did. Like so many of her distinguished peers, a woman in the 1950s mastered the delicate balance of being a good wife, a great chef, a formidable parent, a gracious host and a beauty to behold. Grandma mastered them all, and then some. She loved ritual. She enjoyed shopping, and was famous for her lunchtime meetings, trips to the local post office, to the bank, and she always had hair on Fridays. She enjoyed the local newspapers and always sent us clippings of the latest cultural or social happenings. And she wrote letters. Our Grandma sent cards, and she wrote letters. Over the years so many of us have enjoyed her penmanship and the message contained in one of Mary McCall’s letters. She had just the right thing to say upon every occasion. She would sometimes ask us to ‘proofread’ them for her, which was really just her way of saying “It is important for you to know how to write a fine letter. So here it is. Remember how to do this and do it often.” See, Grandma had a simple, indirect way of communicating. With only a few words – or none at all, with just a grin, a nod, or a sigh – she was able to make herself understood. She was powerful that way. It’s amazing how some people can walk into a room and shift it. That was our Grandma. She made everything feel different. She was strong. She was thoughtful. She was loving. She was generous. And she was kind. She always cheered for the underdog. And she always cared for other peoples’ dogs, too. She liked cat pajamas and loved roosters. She grew roses in her backyard and put the best of her red geraniums in the front yard. She loved her 99 Gretzky address on Main Street. And she loved wrapping presents. When we were kids, she came to our house every Tuesday to help mom with the books and wash windows. Having Grandma there made it our favourite day of the week. She always brought along a nice surprise, usually an apple pie, strawberry tarts, oatmeal cookies or cheese pumpkins. She dressed up as a witch on every Halloween. Holidays were her specialty and she lived by the seasons. April 1 marks a special tradition in our household, where Grandma did her best to fend off Dad’s cunning tactics to make her the fool. It got to the point where Grandma would say, and our Uncle Jack would warn her, don’t even talk to him. Just don’t answer the phone! But she always did. Our Grandma lived a noble life. She was a distinguished woman. Her suffering was quiet. Her burdens were her own. She lived a life that reflected a genuine sense of purpose, one of composure and of lightness. Grandma was independent. And she was fun. She loved the radio. She loved the farm. She loved the sunshine. She watched Jeopardy and Dave McLlwain on television. She could knit, she had impeccable taste, and drove a black cherry Cadillac. Even though she much preferred her life at the kitchen window, and puttering in her garden, she was glad she travelled as much as she did, because she knew it was good for her to do it. In her letters to the bereaved, she used to write: “The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power To tell just when the hands will stop At late or early hour… The present only is our own, So Live, Love, toil with a will -- Place no faith in ‘Tomorrow’ -- For the clock may then be still. (Robert H. Smith) And in the end, at the end of this life, we are likely to find it is the people like Mary, our Grandma, the ones we have loved so dearly and then lost, who have taught us the most about ourselves and the purpose in our own life. They bear witness to our best and worst moments, and love us unconditionally. These special people are truly great, but not plentiful. We celebrate today, such a rare and inspirational soul. May the strength in which she lived her life, humbly inspire us to do the same. 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 We have these and other books & DVDs at... The Citizen Great Books & DVDs for a Long Weekend BUILDING DECKS If a picture’s worth a thousand words what is a 60-minute DVD worth? See how to dig and pour footings, build a square, true framework, lay a deck efficiently, construct stairs, make a newel post and build planters and built-in seating, and more. $26.95 COTTAGE WATER SYSTEMS Here’s extensive information for dealing with your well, pump or septic system. Find out more about pressure systems and purification equipment and how to protect the safety and purity of your water supply. $24.95 THE BIRD WATCHING ANSWER BOOK This handy guide from Laura Erickson of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides everything you need to know to enjoy birds in your backyard or beyond – from migration patterns to strange bird habits to birds’ vision. $18.95 THE KIDS’ BUILDING WORKSHOP Kids can learn and gain confidence in woodworking. This book provides basic instructions for tools plus 15 projects kids and parents can build together: from toy furniture to bird houses to a puppet theatre. $18.95 THE BACKYARD LUMBERJACK Whether harvesting firewood or cutting timber, cutting trees can be an important farm task. This book provides the ultimate guide to felling, bucking, splitting and stacking wood. Tips to keep you safe and save you time. $25.95 CANE, RUSH AND WILLOW Learn how to use natural materials to make baskets, furniture and decorations. $24.95 GEORGIAN BAYTRIPPER The Georgian Bay area is one of the most beautiful in Canada and offers plenty of views to see, interesting places to explore and daytrips to make. Let this book be your guide. $19.95 PIG’S EAR 5 Mount Forest journalist and radio columnist Campbell Cork tells bite- sized stories of interesting people and events from the history of Midwestern Ontario. This is his fifth collection of stories, many originally broadcast on his CKNX radio feature. $20.00 McCall remembered in letters, traditions and holidays Continued from page 22 well as to complete high school volunteer hours. And for the first time this year, past members interested in reviving their musical skills are also encouraged to rejoin the band, contributing as musicians and as experienced mentors. Help us make the band not merely a part of Huron County’s past, but a part of these girls’ future. For more information, please contact Band Director Heather Dawe at heatdawe@fc.amdsb.ca or Charlie Kalbfleisch at 519-565- 2244. Sincerely, Jeanette Schramm, Auburn. Schramm seeks former band members to help mentor marching band Cleaning up Nile’s Matthew Kerr, seen here with his mother Diana, was one of the most aggressive bidders at Monday night’s Auburn Horticultural Society plant auction. When the dust settled, the Kerrs had to clear a little room in their car for all of the plants they had to take home. (Mark Royall photo) Full house While the event is typically well attended, this year’s Student Art Show at the Festival Art Gallery grand opening brought out a larger crowd than normal. The event, held on April 30, saw work from local public and Catholic schools presented and resulted in five students receiving cash prizes for their artistic ability. (Denny Scott photo)