Typing her name puts a smile on my face.


 My Great Grandma Fern got married very young. After having 3 beautiful daughters, my Great Grandfather (nameless because he’s useless) had become a raging abusive alcoholic.

My Great Grandfather would beat Fern, and their three girls. My Grandmother (Marcella) tells memories of her father chasing her around the house with manual sheep shearers when she was three years old.

With her oldest daughter at 8, and her youngest at 3 Fern decided that he needed to go.

This brave, wonderful, woman kicked his ass out in 1946.

1946. This stunning lady raised three wonderful girls BY HERSELF as a BEAUTICIAN in the FORTIES.


My Grandmother tells me stories of being bullied, beat up and made fun of even by teachers at school because her mom was divorced.


I remember one of the last times I saw Fern, we were on a road trip. Staying at a hotel in Wyoming (near where she raised her girls) and snuggled on the bed she gave me some of the best advice I didn’t know that I needed.


I was only thirteen at the time and she told me “You don’t need anyone in this world, don’t cling to someone for a damn thing. & don’t let that make you bitter, let it make you grateful for when help does arrive.”

As a single mom today, your words echo everyday of my life.

Wow!!! So many views and comments. I’m going to share these with my Grandma tomorrow, she will be delighted to read these.


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