I recently submitted a short essay (you guys get the longer version) to a contest for Missouri’s best grandmothers. I don’t know if she’ll win but I sure wanted to share her story anyway! She is such a special lady and has impacted my life in so many ways! Everyone deserves a “Grandma Jackie” their life!
If you were to pass through Montrose, MO and ask a local who Jackie Cook is, they could probably tell you. That could be in part to a population of a mere 375 people, my large family or the ongoing joke that everyone is related in a small town. However, I’d like to think it’s because of my grandmother’s presence and impact in the community. Let’s go with that one!
Grandma Jackie, as many around town would call her, was born and raised in midwest Missouri and planted her roots in Montrose where she raised a family of eight children with her late husband, Norman. She is a grandmother to 16 and now a great-grandmother to nine!
I know most of the entries for this essay are probably young students and at that time in my life I knew my grandma was special, maybe even the best in Missouri! Now as a grown woman, wife and mother I can fully comprehend the immense impact my grandmother has had on my life.
I find her in my everyday in the simplest of ways. When I add a pinch of sugar to my best dishes, pin baste my sewing projects before putting them into the machine, even the way I cut a banana for my son reminds me of how she would do it for my sister and I on those summer days we spent with her. A good cup of black coffee before sitting down to my projects, constructing a fabulous dollar-store craft project that others would believe was expensive, and even choosing a dress over jeans for Sunday mass (and I must iron it first). Yes, it all screams Grandma Jackie! I could go on and on with all of the little grandma-isms in my life. Her phrases, interests, mannerisms… her complete presence in my life.
If it’s even possible to condense everything she has taught me into three words, those words would have to be family, service and passion.
Family is an easy one but maybe the most important. Our family still gathers in my grandmother’s home for every holiday. My family is quite large and continuously growing and while my grandmother’s house isn’t tiny, the square footage sure appears to shrink when we all gather together. Sure we could have someone else host our gatherings at their home, but it just wouldn’t be the same as grandma’s house. Besides, tight quarters make for tight families and we definitely fit that bill. I grew up close to all of my cousins who felt more like brothers and sisters and looking back I think grandma’s house fostered those relationships. The walls of her home are filled with the love and laughter that make us family.
My grandmother’s example has taught me a lot about service as well. She has been a seamstress for decades. She would watch my sister and I in the summertime and after school, and little did she know, I was watching her too. With grandma’s help, I learned to sew at a young age and developed the same passions by watching her work. I have many fond memories of making barbie doll clothing with my grandma. I saw all of her hard work and hours expended in her sewing room, stitching away. Still, to this day, I admire all of the incredible work she does from basic alterations to complete custom wedding gowns transformations! She has impacted countless brides on the most special day of their lives with her beautiful wedding dress designs and alterations. I was even lucky enough to be one of those brides!
Those summers I spent watching, I remember customers coming in and asking how much they owe for their alterations. My grandma would reply only requesting a couple dollars. I rarely heard her ask for more than five dollars for most simple alterations. As I got older, I told my grandma she should charge much more! Then not too long ago, I helped a few friends out with alterations and found myself too charging grandma’s low rates. I realized it wasn’t because my grandma didn’t know her work’s worth, it was because she would rather help someone than take their money. While that may not be best business-practice it sure is the best life-practice.
One of the other many ways my grandmother exemplifies service is through her work with our church. In her ”spare time” (mind you she is one of the busiest 80-some-year-old you’d every meet) she decorates our church for every season, weddings and special occasions. And let me tell you, there is not one detail out of place! She puts forth her best work at all times with countless hours of preparation and personal commitment. She serves God by constantly working to serve others through our community.
Possibly the greatest lesson my grandmother has given me is to have a passion. Because of my grandma, I pursued an education and career in the fashion industry. She has helped me to recognize my ability to create and I am forever grateful for that. My grandma is the most creative, fashionable, and gifted person I know. She is so passionate about her work, even after all of these years and I know her skill has come with the experience. That alone motivates me every day to become better at my passion. Never stop learning and never lose your ability to be inspired. She is passionate about her work, her service and her family. Life is too short to do something you aren’t passionate about. Pursue your interests, work to the absolute best of our ability, inspire others and above all be passionate.
In short, I know my grandmother is one of Missouri’s best simply because of the way she lives her life. She serves her church, her family, good food and above all she serves God. Missourian’s help their neighbors, serve their communities and hold tight to their families. And if we are searching for Missouri’s best grandmothers, then I think one could easily find those qualities in Grandma Jackie.
Thanks y’all!
-Lauren