My Grandma Irvine was an amazing woman. She was strong, independent and resilient. I see these traits in other women in our family including my mother, myself and our daughter.
Grandma Isabel (Woodland) helped people heal. She trained as a nurse and moved west as a pioneer wife and mail order bride to Bill Irvine. Her skills were in high demand as she delivered over 30 babies and tended to the people in the farming community near Young, Saskatchewan. Grandma was an ‘angel’ in the eyes of the neighbours. There were no doctors within 20 miles. Babies tended to arrive in the dead of night or in a storm. Grandma would travel blizzards to help neighbours nearby. She was compassionate and kind.
I remember my grandmother and my mom camping with us – myself, my husband Reg and our infant son Kevin back in 1982. We had a propane light, a van and all kinds of “luxuries”, at least in Grandma’s eyes. I remember Grandma saying she wished they had some of these things when they were pioneers.
I had a special bond with Grandma…we connected.
One of my motivational messages I have taped on the wall is ‘What would Grandma Irvine have done when faced with a similar health challenge as I have now?”
Fight! Be strong. Believe. I feel her strength in me, through me in my genetics, in my blood. I can do this. I am doing this!
I think of Grandma often as I stay focused on my goal of healing. We help ourselves heal by staying positive and focused and being loving, compassionate and kind towards our fellow man. Thank you every one for your positive thoughts and prayers. I feel the energy and healing. May you all have good health and be well.