This is a picture of my favorite grandmother, Oma Susanna. I was named after her and had the fortune of living in the same house with her and Opa until their deaths. She was a beautiful woman, a talented cook, baker, and a beautiful knitter. She taught me much including how to knit, but the most important talent I still use to this day was how to hold a paring knife in my hand and cut thin slices of vegetables by letting the knife 'hit' my thumb and not cut through my skin. I can do it quickly and use it instead of a cutting board. It seems silly, but I learned this from her and it still is a very useful trick to this day.
This picture was taken shortly after my grandmother's 65th birthday. She was attending the wedding of a granddaughter. It is 1954. When I realized her age in this picture recently, I was taken by surprise. Today is my 65th birthday. I have aged, but not quite like she did.
She did not have a hard life. She had a beautiful home, modern conveniences for the day, running water, electricity, even a phone by this time and a television. Another generation will pass, and someday my granddaughter, Rachel, will find a picture of me at age 65 and think the same thoughts.
Great picture. You look so much younger than her but I do see alot of her in your face. Hope you have a wonderful birthday.
ReplyDeleteWe love you,
Angie
Susan, Happy Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother would be so proud that you passed on her cooking skills, recipes and her story. She does look like a lady of that time, I think in 1954 & that era, ladies did look older than their age. But there was a sophistication and regal majesty about their look, as well.
Your Oma definitely looks like a lady of the 1950s. George is right. She has the sophisticated appearance of a royal lady. I know, though, if she was typical of the Amana ladies she was humble and loving. rw
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY. You do resemble your Oma. But you have aged much more youthfully. Apparently you have many of her talents as well. Amazing about the genes. Have a wonderful birthday and stay warm in FL while we shiver up here.
ReplyDeleteAll my love-- laurie
Happy birthday Susan. I hope you have many, many more. I hope the Trout is taking you out to dinner.
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother is lovely and she did age well, didn't she? I believe they ate more healthy in those days and didn't have all of the exposure to junk food that we do today.
I'm named after my great-grandmother Susan Ann, but they changed the name a tiny bit because my mother didn't like the two name thing (can you imagine and she's from the south) and I ended up being Suzanne. I don't go by that name anymore and wouldn't recognized it as my name.
Again, best wishes on your birthday.
Sam
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful description of your lovely grandmother; beautiful memories! Isn't it scary how all of a sudden with are the grandmothers.
Rita
Happy Birthday Susan! So hard not to call you Mrs. S... :) Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteKara
Happy Birthday to you! I hope you had a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday - was your Oma Dutch? or is that a common name for granny in many languages? I will become Oma for the first time in the next few days as my son (Dutch-Irish) and his Dutch partner are due their first baby tomorrow but she will prob. go over time. Such a nice post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Catheirne
Catherine, thank you so much for commenting. My grandmother was German. Oma and Opa are German for grandma and grandpa. Congrats on being an Oma for the first time.
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) Birthday Susan! Our daughter and our best friend share the same birthday, so I know you are of good stock. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the tribute to your Oma! Bless her.
Oh Happy Birthday!! I hope you enjoyed your special day. Such a sweet picture of your Oma.
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