I will tell you a true story so full of drama and dissension that you will shake your head in disbelief.
She grew up in Peoria and was graduated from the Academy of Our Lady and married in haste to a Spalding graduate. Both were the last of their crowd to be single and both wanted to be married, regardless if they loved one another or not. They had four children in quick order. He told her he was involved in a bowling league on Thursday nights. However, his involvement was, instead, with another woman. She became pregnant with their daughter. He was an expert at honeyfuggle. He and the woman left the Peoria area never to be seen again.
A divorce followed. Unable to cope with it all, she swallowed a bottle of aspirin in a suicide attempt. However, a family member found her and she was rushed to St. Francis Hospital where her stomach was quickly pumped and she survived.
The paternal grandparents became central figures when the children grew and provided unconditional love, financial support, and encouragement. Without those loving grandparents, the story would have a distinctly different ending. It was their loving involvement that made the difference to the children’s self-esteem and to what they felt was their value.
A second marriage came quickly because she was feeling so alone that on the rebound she married the first man who came her way. It was another disaster to survive. When he kicked her down the stairs in a drunken rage, she called it quits.
She survived the second divorce.
Next came the cancers and two mastectomies. She had three occurrences with cancer. By now her grown children were so fearful that they would lose their mom, too, they all gathered around her and everyone prayed.
She survived.
Miraculously the children grew up straight and strong. One became an elementary school teacher. One a college professor and attorney. One with the Irish gift of gab was a successful salesman, and the younger sister became an incredible mom to a Down Syndrome child.
The little family had survived. No public aid or assistance. No government handouts. No excuses. No one whined because of the broken home as an excuse to become nothing. Their mom had found a good-paying job at an advertising agency and their days of eating peanut butter and eggs were over.
A woman colleague at her work became a good friend. When the friend died of cancer, her widowed husband began courting. After a respectful time, they were wed. Her third walk down the aisle proved successful. They enjoyed many years together in pleasant harmony. Celebrated nine grandchildren and host to family gatherings, included the annual Christmas Eve together concluding with Midnight Mass. Her faith had sustained her days.
Her life story may sound like a dime novel, but what you have just read all happened to one woman. Her children and grandchildren adore her. Her calm presence reassures them in both good and lean times. She developed a keen sense of humor though it all and enjoyed outings with friends she had made throughout the years. She participated in cancer fundraisers and was the family cheerleader.
The same fire that melts the butter makes the iron hard.