Forty years ago today, January 10th, 1982 the Midwest was hit by a Polar Vortex. The Cincinnati Bengals had a playoff game that day in -40 degree wind chills. I was 15 and about 50 miles up the road in Greensburg, Indiana.
That day was my Great Gramma’s 100th birthday. It was a huge celebration for the family. The whole town celebrated this grand day on one of the coldest days in Hoosier history.
It didn’t stop my Great Gramma or her ten daughters. Most of my Great Aunts actually made it into their late nineties. My Gramma lived to 106. Tough German family running errands and making preparations for the day.
They had a mass and a banquet planned. It was the last mass that I served as an Altar boy. By that time I was the Minnie Minosa of Altar boys.
In fact it was the first time I drove a car on a highway. I had my learners permit and my mom let me drive down from Indianapolis to Greensburg on the interstate.
I was a badass that weekend. An altar boy that can drive….
One thing I learned that weekend was my family had a strong work ethic. If something needed to be done, do it! Find something to do or I’ll find something for you! There was NO sitting around if we wanted this to go off without any snags.
Well it all worked out and Gramma Stier passed away about a year later.
My Great Gramma is one of many that look down on me every morning. They watch me put my shoulder down and scrum into everyday full throttle.
I’m not sure what inspired a German woman who lived from 1882 until 1983 in a small Indiana community. She did instill her strong faith and no nonsense view in those that she raised.
Back then they didn’t wait for miracles. They just got up every morning and went to work.
It’s 2022 and many of the people who gathered on that cold Sunday have passed away, but the Altar boy is getting up and going to work on this cold January morning.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Gramma Stier…..
