Nana

Nana was 91 years old and what a lady! Her presence was just sweet and smiley. From knowing her for the past 15 years, I could have NEVER guessed her story. Some people you just make assumptions and assume you know how they were raised and what type of family they had. Nana was one of 12 children and I think she was number 9. Her mother passed away after giving birth to her 12th child... WOW. The reality of this I can't even comprehend. Can you imagine how her husband must have felt at the end of this birth? After this, the children were split up and the younger children were put in foster homes because the fathe was unable to care for all of them and circumstances in his life. The older ones raised themselves for quite some time.

Nana was put in numerous foster homes and it is hard to know if she doesn't remember a ton of stories or if she blocked them out. Andy's mom and siblings were able to piece a lot of stories together over time. She lived with some loving parents, but many who were not and used her as labor around the house. One house, she slept under a kitchen table. It wasn't until her teen years that she was reunited with her older siblings and they helped raise her. She got a scholarship under FDR and then after college became a dietician. According to Andy's mom, her faith was the kind that was what you imagine in the olden days... just simple, like Jesus probably just jumped for joy over. She knew that God has his eye on her; he was her protector, the one who loved her. She never complained about how hard life was; she walked around with just smiles, joy, and love of family. I think she knew how to appreciate this life. I am so thankful to have known her; what an inspiration she is to my life of simple it can be.... "His eye is on the sparrow".... He cares for us and that is enough.