A Real Rosie the Riveter

Last night was the annual Christmas party for Mike's extended family. A big shabang for all the descendants of Grandma Peterson. She has 4 kids, 28 grand kids (if I remember right--I once made a picture with individual mat spaces for each grand child's high school picture. It about killed me) and something like 80+ great grand kids? Really I don't know how many the count goes up regularly. But it was well over 65 a couple of years ago. She is amazing because she can remember every name and sends a birthday wish to each one including spouses. Wow... is all I can say.
She is a real trail blazer. She played tennis in high school and was very good at it. She once went on a double date where the boys asked the girls to go play tennis after one serve from her they decided they should do something else. Her name is Joye...but when she was born her parents spelled it Joey. Because of that she snuck into some opportunities that women just didn't get in her era. She was a sheet metal worker at Hill Air Force Base during WWII and for a some years after that. She had to deal with constant discrimination from being kept out of an Algebra class taught in high school to being passed over for promotions and jobs. She is a master gardener, crocheter, and cook. Not to mention a dedicated nurse and wife as she cared for her husband whom was bedridden for more than a decade.

She reminds me a lot of my Grandma Thornley and even keeps the same kind of cookies in her kitchen for when the great grand kids visit. She doesn't ask for much, but has given a lot. Most notably a legacy. A legacy of love, faith and dedication. What a blessing for my kids to know her. I'm so grateful that I can call her MY grandma too. We love Grandma Peterson.