Grandma Alison

Sokehs Rock - Pohnpei

When I was in High School I interviewed for a spot at Girl’s State. One of the interview questions was “Who is your hero and why?” My friend Lori said that her hero was Sally Ride, because she was the first woman in space, completely appropriate for someone who had won the national Science Fair every year since she started competing. My friend Sandy said that her hero was Mary Lou Retton, and since this was in 1986 and Mary Lou Retton is only a year older than us, it’s kind of a funny answer. But if you know Sandy, then you know that it is also entirely appropriate. When it came to my turn, I thought of all the people I could mention, perhaps Ronald Reagan – my favorite president, or Walt Disney – my favorite Imagineer, or even Nelson Mandela – enough said. I chose my Grandma Alison, a person who I love and admire and someone that I hope to be like when I grow up. I don’t think I realized the full extent of my Grandma’s coolness back then, how could I? I was still so young and stupid and full of myself. (Please…no need to mention that the only thing that has changed is that I am no longer young.) As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I am able to see with clarity some of the attributes that my Grandma possesses. So ALA “Everything I Learned, I Learned in Kindergarten”, I give you this….

Things I have learned from my Grandmother -

To Be Patriotic
To Be Friendly
To Be Loyal
To Be Fearless
To Be Delighted
To Be Fascinated
To Seek Knowledge

To Make a Difference


To Love

My Grandma Alison was just here for a visit. She lives in Micronesia, so we don’t see her as often as we would like, but that just makes each and every visit that much more special. I wish you all could know her, she is remarkable, and I am lucky that she is a part of my life.