Grandma had a ninth or tenth grade education. Even so, she had a gift for words. Sometime in her mid-fifties, she wrote out her memoirs, long hand. Somewhere along the way, my mother made copies of those pages that mean more to me than anything else Grandma left behind. She has been gone for thirty years this December. The 11th. 1991. One month later, I would give birth to a baby girl. My grandmother’s legacy and love would live.
My Legacy by Catherine Savage
“I’ve never really enjoyed anything written in the first person—a primary rule about writing, and one of the few I know. Even in a letter is the abhorrence of the word or letter I. But just how do you begin or end or even put anything in the middle of this title without its use.
Money is such a transient thing, even more than life, that I haven’t considered it of great value. Possibly because I never had much money, I have just had a sour grapes attitude about it.
Love is the greatest commodity, and the giving of it always begets it. The thing I have to leave my children are their own lives. James Edward, Carol Rose, Sharon Sue, Joed Cleve, John Paul, each a lovely and loving person—all made possible by Edward Tony Savage.”
Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope 
How wonderful that you have a piece of your grandmother’s writing, and what a precious photo!
LikeLike
Yes! Thank you. Thank you, Priscilla!
LikeLike
I love this! How wonderful it would be if everyone left a memoir for their loved ones. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Bridget! Thank you so much. I love it, too. I might need to have my grandmother guest post again. This one is my favorite, but I have more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great snapshot into times past, Crystal. Glad you are not forgetting your Grandmother. Stay well. Allan
LikeLike
Thank you, Allan. Hard to believe it has been 30 years. I grew up writing letters to my grandparents. I realize now how much that shaped me.
LikeLike
How sweet. Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLike
Thank you for reading and appreciating one of my favorite people! 🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your grandmother was a beautiful writer – and what a lovely family photo. 💗
LikeLike
Thank you, Kerry! No doubt, she was smart and classy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your grandmother’s legacy is also apparent in the strong family resemblance she helped to pass on. Departed loved ones live on in our memories.
LikeLike
I’m a good mix of my parents, but I see exactly what you see. She lives through me in so many ways.
LikeLike
Who could go wrong with leaving love as one’s legacy? My mother also had three boys and two girls like your grandmother.
LikeLike
This could be one of my all-time favorite quotes: “Love is the greatest commodity, and the giving of it always begets it.”
LikeLike
Such a beautiful post!
I love that your grandmother took the time to write about her life and experiences. And what she said about love rang true down deep in me.
Thank you for sharing! ❤
LikeLike
I still remember sitting on my bed in my late 20s, reading these words for the first time, and being deeply affected. Thank you for relating! 🤍
LikeLike
❤❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is fabulous! I love that your grandmother was a writer, she’s up there beaming at you Crystal, thank you for sharing this, I loved every word. Hugs, C
LikeLike
Ironically, I didn’t realize I was a writer or that my grandmother was until later in life. These are the types of conversations a girl only wishes she could’ve had with her grandmother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a blessing to have words from her own heart and hand on priceless pages. I wish my grandmother had left something like that. She sounds very wise. Xx
LikeLike
I only wished I had realized sooner, just how wise and amazing. 🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful ❤
LikeLike
Thank you, Dr. G.! I agree.
LikeLike
Isn’t it cool how that works out, Crystal? Your daughter came along just in time to continue her great-grandma’s vitality.
It’s a river which flows ceaselessly, your grandma’s writing and her memories. enriching everyone she touched. Including those, like your daughter, whom she hasn’t met (yet).
A gifted writer, too, based on the memoir you excerpted above. Funny, my blog – at least the main articles – actively avoids using the “I” word. So, that approach has enlightened precedence? Didn’t realize this until a few minutes ago, that is! Thirty years later and 1,500 miles away, your grandmother still inspires!
LikeLike
Meanwhile, my blog is littered with the letter I, which goes to show how rules change. Either way, we’re both inspired. 🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, for sure, Crystal. This latest exchange just goes to show you don’t have to be a relative, even, for your grandmother’s wisdom to enlighten.
Fair enough. As I recall, you enjoyed the apple pie my grandmother’s skills launched. I’ll see your grandmother and raise you one pastry.
LikeLike
Love this! What a legacy, and how wonderful that you are now writing your memoir.
LikeLike
Hello, my friend. Thank you! My grandmother was a quiet force.
LikeLike
What a treasure, Crystal. I honor the words of your Grandmother. The picture is precious too. ❣️❤️🙏🏻
LikeLike
Hi Karla! Thank you so much. I misplaced my copies a few years ago when our house flooded. Thankfully I found my mom’s copy at her house around this time last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Crystal. I’m so glad you found a copy!
LikeLike
Me, too! Of all the boxes left in the garage unpacked, that was the only thing I was missing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful thing to have your grandmother’s writing in memoir form. I’ve always wanted to interview someone with a great life (esp my grandmother, although there’s always been a terrible language barrier between us).
Just beautiful! 💕
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Jen! I’ve had this guest post on my mind for awhile.
Maybe you start with an audio recording of the conversation. Have you heard of StoryCorps? They have an app that suggests questions. (They also turn people’s interview into animated short films. Speaking of heartwarming.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that sounds so cool!! I’m going to look that up, thanks!!! 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome. They’re produced by NPR. I’ve used them in my classroom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is charming, the writing and the photo. It’s amazing how ancestors influence, and the ways in which it happens.
LikeLike
Hi Ally! Thank you. My grandmother’s vocabulary never seemed out of the ordinary to me, but I love how carefully she chose her words here. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is do wonderful that have this photo of your family.
LikeLike
I remember the original in my grandparents’ house. I found this digital copy on my cousin’s Facebook page.
LikeLike
Oh! I love this so, so much! Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
I love that you love it! Thank you, TLV!
LikeLike
What a beautiful photograph and tribute.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Evelyn!
LikeLike
You are so fortunate to have a memoire and photo.
LikeLike
❤️ I cherish both!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite a legacy to share! Crystal, I feel so privileged to witness some of your grandmother’s writings. The photo is precious as well.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Big Sky. Putting myself in my mother’s shoes thirty years ago. Not realizing how hard it is to lose my mother until now. And wondering if I have another thirty years. Hoping my legacy lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is lovely 😍 I never has the pleasure of meeting my Grandmother nor do I have letters and I only have one photo of her. So, this is quite precious to me. What a lovely thing for you to share. My Grandmother passed away in 1970. 10 years before I was born. I wished more people understood how important Grandmothers are 🥺
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I am thankful.
LikeLike