My Monday Hero: MYRA FAY MORGAN WHEELER

My awesome grandmother, Myra Fay Morgan Wheeler, was born in 1892 and lived to be 86 years old. That is pretty incredible, particularly considering that the average life expectancy in the 1950s was 45 - 63 years of age. And she also lived the last 20+ years of her life as a widow, my grandfather having died when I was but a toddler.


I can still picture the humble little two-bedroom home with a cellar, a front porch, and a huge tree out front with a swing attached to it. The garden was off to the side of the house and most of the summer days I spent with Grandma included picking and eating those yummy fresh peas! To this day, whenever I smell, see, or eat freshly-picked peas, I get a whiff of Grandma and can almost see her standing next to me, drying her hands on the apron she wore constantly. I can hear her laugh and crack jokes with my Dad. I can see the collections of salt n' pepper shakers and deer knick-knacks perched atop of the small shelf that sat just below the ceiling where we could see but not touch.


This strong woman from pioneer stock bore 11 children, three of whom died very young. The remaining eight were all girls, my mother the youngest. There were 17 years between my mother and her eldest sister. To realize that Grandma Wheeler carried, gave birth, and then raised all these children (girls!) on a dry farm in Southeastern Idaho is nothing short of miraculous. They had a tiny cabin on the property with no indoor plumbing! Every Saturday they would travel in a wagon from the farm to their house "in town" so everyone could clean up, bathe and be their shiny best for church on Sunday. 


In preparing to post this blog, I heard from several of my cousins who share similar sentiments about our beloved grandmother. Here are a few: 


"Love, love, love this woman! I can still imagine her distinctive voice and unique personality."


"Some days I so miss Grandma. So level, so sweet, so strong. Take one Grandma Wheeler daily to stay healthy!"


"Grandma was always so happy, even during her 20+ years as a widow. We come from great stock."


A tribute to you, dearest Grandma Wheeler. You have left to me the challenge of what I hope to become ~ the woman of strength, character, compassion, and charity you created. One day in the eternities, I hope to report to you about what I have done with your name, your legacy. I love you truly, I love you fully, and I miss you dearly. Please give Grandpa my love, along with all those other amazing ancestors who have gone before.