Growing Older and Other Blessings

My grandmother on my father's side was Viola Amanda Amick. Viola and Amanda are each beautiful names but they called my grandmother "Ole," pronounced "O Lee." I never could quite understand why they turned pretty names into something so harsh sounding. I just called her "Grandma".

As a child, my parents often told me I took after her. It's probably true. With a German name like Amick, I think Grandma was pretty stubborn. Me? Well, let's just leave it at that.

I have her pug nose, round face, and thick hair. Like Grandma, I always have to be busy. She liked to quilt, make rugs, and the best...