My Nanny was a strong woman, smart, hardworking, and with a sense of humor I grew to appreciate as I grew older. She made us good food to eat when we were with her and quilts that kept us warm and reminded us of her when we were apart. As a junior in American History, I was given the assignment of interviewing my grandparents, in order to make things like the Depression and WWII come alive by hearing about these times from family who had lived through them. I don’t think a school assignment ever ended up meaning so much to me. Memories of childhood and her early marriage deepened my understanding and appreciation for Nanny as a woman. She told of living through many hard times, raising and loving her family, persevering… I saw her piece crazy quilts with the scraps and bits of material that she was given, that others would discard, and I realized the life experience behind that quilting. That was what Nanny was good at – making something beautiful and useful out of what life had given her. Her example encourages me as I face challenges, and I many of her qualities living on in the daughters I know best, my mom and Aunt Lois. I love my Nanny. I miss her. I wish we had lived closer and had shared more times together. Many thanks to the family who lives close, who showed their love and care, especially in the last month.