Grandma,
Michaline Czekanski, was 96 years old
(she died in 2006) and celebrated Wigilia every year from the time
she was 4 years old. She started to make Pierogi at the age of 12 and has
made Pierogi for 84 years, both at Christmas for family, Polish picnics
and church suppers.
Her family reached 50 people (and they all came), and she made at
Wigilia cabbage Pierogi, potato/cheese Pierogi, prune Pierogi, blueberry
Pierogi and Kapusta, sledzie, lima beans, potatoes, and mushroom borscz
(all served separately).
Of
course she had a little bit of help, but she did most of the work and
supervision. The total Pierogi each year was about 300.
We
all have many memories of Gram that come from the times that we spent with
her. This
week we had a chance to share a lot of these memories with each other and
with Gram in our hearts.
Most of our memories are of a grandmother who loved us, who cared
for us and who taught us things that we use every day just by doing things
with us and asking us to help around the farm.
All of us admired Gram for who she was and what she gave to us.
I would like to read a letter written to Gram by one of her
Grandchildren that shows the kind of admiration that she inspired.
Gram,
As
I held your hand this week I saw how perfectly time had painted your skin
with the beautiful colors of your life:
The browns of the earth that you so faithfully tilled, the golds of
the fields that grew under your care and the whites of the snow that
blanket those fields at each Christmas gathering that we cherish so
dearly.
The
strength of your grip reminds me of how many children that you have
cradled in your radiant life; How many loaves of bread that you have
kneaded to keep us fed, how many yards of yarn that you have knitted to
keep us warm, how many decks of cards that you have shuffled to keep us
entertained and how many pierogies you have made to put smiles on our
faces. I
am amazed that your fingers also look so delicate, reflecting they must
your quiet inner grace.
On this occasion, as I have on many others, I hold your hand as I
would an anchor in a storm.
An
when you opened your eyes to see me, I saw the same wonderful eyes that
delighted each and every time they watched forty six little children take
their first steps on ninety two little feet.
Those eyes never held judgment or scorn: only kindness, patience,
humor and love.
I
have never known someone in such harmony with the earth.
Everything you had was from your hard work and resource.
You never spoiled or wasted what you had been given.
The earth was good in return.
It us you for 95 years before it again claimed you for its own.
You will forever nourish the earth that you loved, as you will
forever nurture us with memories of your life.
Thank you for being the great tree with firm roots: so many have
soared happy and high form your nest.
Submitted By: Henry Szczepanik (Dracut, Massachusetts)