Anna Godleski Trembicki
This picture was taken at a wedding Anna stood up in. Walter, Anna's future husband, was very envious of the groom's man who accompanied Anna down the isle. Knowing a bit about Walter that makes me smile. There will be much more on Walter later. He's quite the character. :)
This amazing woman is who my youngest daughter is named after. She is my maternal Great Grandmother. Born in Poland in 1892. When she was 18 or 19 years old she came over to America under the name of her sister Rose, who was originally supposed to make the trip but decided to remain in Poland so she could stay with her fiance.
Later the mother of 8 children, 5 girls and 3 boys, and the sole worker of her 13 acre farm, Anna was an astonishing woman, strong and hard working. She could do it all and she did. I could most definitely learn something from her unwavering work ethic. In moments of trial when I find myself struggling I often stop and think of Great Grandma and of all the challenges a day in her life must have held. It causes me to be still, in a moment that quiets my restless heart and replenishes courage and strength in me, and I am able press on.
Her 13 acre farm was at the corner of Hamstrum and Central Ave. in Portage. The farm is now the home of a gas station, Bank and Bar with the Beef Mart located across the street. But in its heyday was home to her many cows, chickens and pigs. She set up her farmer’s market everyday on the corner selling her eggs, tomatoes, corn and other produce. She made her own butter and cheese. My Mother has memories of her holding a candle up to her eggs to make sure they were clear before using them for cooking and baking.
She ran her farm single handily. Her husband could be found playing the ponies or watching the wrestling match on TV. Anna’s son Joe ran the tractor when he was old enough and was a great help to her. As were her other children when they were old enough to lend a hand.
She never had the pleasure of living in a nice home until she sold the farm and bought some land near her eldest daughter, Mary, in Lake Station. It is there were she would finally have her beautiful brick house built, her palace. But Grandma, too afraid she would ruin the grandeur and plush carpeting of the home, refused to reside in the up stairs. Instead she had a kitchenette built in the basement so she would never have to damage the upper level of the home. She ate and slept in the basement of the house during the time she lived there until her passing.
I try my best to worry more about those around me than the belongings that surround us. Of course I believe you should take care of your home and the possessions you've been blessed with in this life to the best of your ability. Your home is your Heaven on Earth. But I am also of the mind set that fine china is to be used, not stored. Sure, one or two is bound to be broken over time during a meal or in cleaning, but I will never let the grandeur of any possession get in the way of living my life with my loved ones and enjoying my time with them here on Earth. They are just objects and absolutely replaceable. Each family member is far more important than all the riches in the world. They are my priceless treasures sent directly from our Heavenly Father.
When you think this way the crayon markings on the wall don't bother you so much any more. It almost makes me want to frame those little works of art, because children grow up much too soon and those markings will fade and be painted over in time. I never had the pleasure of meeting Anna in this life but in doing my research she has already taught me far more than I dreamed possible, and she still is that amazing woman.
