Angus McDuff... and the Gift of a Grumpy Grandmother

. . .

I drew these journal pages with my grandmother in mind. She has been in my thoughts a lot lately.
My grandmother lived with our family when I was a kid. She passed away several years ago.
I sadly do not remember many positive things about her.
What I do remember from a limited 13 year old memory is this:
She was Gloomy. Took the role of a victim. She was critical of others. Never left the house. It bothered me so much that I remember telling myself as a kid, "Ugh, As far as I can help it, I will not be a downer like my Grandmom."
But she loved dogs, especially her Cairn Terrier named Duffy (short for Angus McDuff).
She loved her grandkids.
She loved history. And poetry. And 7pm Jeopardy.
And books. Books upon books.
She loved buying her grandchildren educational gifts instead of "fun gifts". Dictionaries... Globes... Puzzles.... More books...
I begrudgingly accepted them when I was little. I begrudgingly accepted her gifts. I begrudgingly accepted her.
Looking back, My self-centeredness makes me a little sad. I wish I would have gotten to know my grandmother better. But at 13 you don't know better. Your perspective is so much narrower.
Intentionally, she taught me the value of education. Unintentionally, she taught me to shoo away the rain clouds & brighten the world.
Both incredible gifts. For both I am thankful.
So, she was on my mind. And I drew Duffy in honor of her.
. . .
What gifts has your grandmother given to you?