Realizing Good Fortune

 When the small odd looking little anomaly arrived at 5:33 a.m. May 22nd, 1985 that would eventually be named Stephen Franklin Stonebraker, he was graced with the good fortune of having all six of his grandmas still alive.  

Unfortunately I never got to know my Grandma Norma Stonebraker that well.  She passed two and a half months shy of my fourth birthday. I do remember bits and pieces of her. It's funny because what I do remember is so insignificant.  I remember she kept candy bars in the refrigerator.  Butterfingers and Kit-Kats.  I remember her taking me to work with her once and sitting me on a big warm dryer.  That's about the extent of it though.  

Then a short time later Grandma Edna Barrett passed away. She was already in poor health from the time my memory kicked in.  I think I was a year older than what I was when Grandma Norma passed.  While I do remember visiting her in the hospital, the memory I have of her that sticks out most was at my Uncle John and Aunt Dawn's wedding.  I wanted to sit next to her, so I kinda just went and wedged my way between her and another guest.  

Now my Grandma Danels I knew very well.  Spent a lot of time with her.  She was my main babysitter when I was a kid.  Even though she's been gone now for 28 years, it's never felt that long.  I skipped school some days, pretending not to feel well just to be able to spend the day at her house.  

Grandma Alta Stonebraker I'd visit either with my Dad or my Grandpa Harry about 12 times a year.  We'd go down to her and my Grandpa Clarence's house (he passed in 1997) about once a month.  I loved listening to her tell stories of long ago and I think we sat and looked through picture albums every time I visited.  She lived to be 103 & was mentally with it up until about the last two years.  

Grandma Reta Fox was a lot like Grandma Alta.  She loved history and she loved to talk about it.  Which was great for me, because I loved hearing about it.  We had a lot in common.  She lived to be 96 I believe or somewhere around that age. 

Then when I was 11, I was even more lucky because when my Mom married Barry, I inherited another Grandma.  Evelyn Lee.  Even though I could be a little pain in the ass at times, she always welcomed me into her family.  

I'll also say even though members of my family don't like it, I have always and I still consider Dorothy Bos a grandmother of mine.  She was married to my Grandpa for a couple of years and even though their marriage didn't work out, she was extremely good to me during that time.  She told me that she still thought of me as a grandson the last time I saw her.  She passed a few years back too.  I suppose it's probably longer ago than that, but it doesn't feel like it. 

And now Grandma Kathleen Harding is gone.  Another very special woman in my life that helped to shape me into what I at least hope is a decent person.  I may not be rich. I may not have a new house or a new car.  What I do have though is decency.  Respect.  Kindness. Empathy. Love and care.  In those areas, I do feel rich and all of that is because of the fortune of being surrounded by such incredible people. 


It donned on me a couple of days ago that all of my Grandmothers are gone now.  It was a depressing feeling, but the depression didn't last long.  Instead there's a feeling of happiness. A feeling of gratitude.  During my lifetime I was fortunate enough to have eight women to give me grandmotherly love and guidance. 

For that, I am incredibly thankful.