Rather than remember a day the terrorists gave us I would like to remember the day my heritage gave me Grandma Damato’s Birthday. Irene Pierscionek was born to two Polish immigrants who came over on the boat not long before she was born. She was the oldest daughter of 9 children. Sadly her father died when she was a child and she had to help her mother raise the children. She was not allowed to attend school past the 8th grade as it was more important she work so her 7 brothers could attend school. However none of them graduated only her little sister my Aunt Aggie in the mid 1940’s.
As I child I had no idea of the lack of childhood she had. She couldn’t have known all of the carefree days, few worries and love from two parents that I had. Other than to hold one of us I remember Grandma always keeping busy even if she was watching TV she was ironing (a great source of arguments between my grandparents was the “room divider”) she crocheted, did needle point - I always remember her having something to do.
Even though we lived in Denver and they lived in Chicago I felt very close to them, they usually came out for several weeks during the summer and often times we went there too. For many years every holiday 3 matching dresses would come in the mail for us to wear. What sticks in my mind the most is we knew how valued our mother was to them. To hear Grandma & Grandpa describe Mom she was the perfect child. They never seemed to tire of telling us stories of her growing up and we loved to listen to them.
I regret as an adult I did not make more of an effort to see her, they came to see us numerous times when Courtney was growing up but I only made it to River Grove once before she died for their 50th wedding anniversary. Since Mary was born I often think about the six great grandparents she will never know and how they would have enriched her life and how much they would have loved her. I hope we do a good job telling her about all of them and how she is a part of them.
Happy Birthday Grandma!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
September 11, 1918 – Happy Birthday Grandma
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3 comments:
Very Nice.
I know Grandma would love your tribute to her.Grandpa has said she would have hated to have her birthdate remembered as such a tragic day. I don't think she ever thought about how hard life was for her as a child. She had big responsibilities from the age of 9 when her Dad died. I think we can thank her for what she gave to all of us females in her family. Work hard, take care of business, and don't feel sorry for yourself. Don't forget, dress appropriately; as a little girl I had to wear a dress to go to the bank. Maybe that's why I prefer the drive-thru today. Grandma was a role model and she did't even know it. She would have enjoyed seeing all her great-grandchildren today, but they all have some of her traits that will continue on for generations.
That was beautiful!! There were things I didn't even know. Thanks for a good cry!!
T
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