My Grandmathers Story

When I turned around I could see grandma wearing her trench coat and scarf, and holding my sweater in her hands. I trembled at the thought of wearing that cardigan (it was really hot outside) but I knew better not to argue with Grandma, so I slipped it on and finally we were ready to go.
             Nowadays it is my husband who gets impatient whenever we go out, for he's the one who has to endure the pain of waiting for me to get ready. I wouldn't dream of going even to the corner grocery store in my pajamas, with rollers in my hair out of respect for other people as well as Grandma Stefcia.
             Grandma Stefcia was known in the family for her wisdom and strength of character, and she was greatly respected. Nobody would even think about making any important decision without consulting her first, and she certainly always had an opinion. She was very frank and straight to the point, and she would deliver her judgment in a stern, matter-of-fact manner, even if it weren't pleasant to the listener. She didn't take no for an answer, and she didn't like excuses. As a first great grandchild in the family, I had a special place in her heart, and I was probably only one in the family who didn't fear her temper. She once threatened my grandfather, her son, with a cane, when she was particularly displeased with his behavior. It seemed really funny to me considering that he was in his fifties, standing six foot three, a big, strongly build man, and she was an old lady, but he wasn't laughing. She was the authority.
             Grandma Stefcia was born in Warsaw in a middle class family in 1903.Her parents were well-to-do merchants and she grew up in a happy and comfortable household. She married my great-grandfather, who worked as an official for national railroad, and as the World War I was spreading throughout Europe they were striving to keep normal life. Shortly after the WWI they had three children, and in 1928 my great grandfather died in an accident.