Grandmother Fullerton

I received a beautiful story yesterday on facebook about my daddy's mother. It was her birthday yesterday and I didn't even know when her birthday was. I don't remember ever going to visit her on her birthday or ever buying her a gift. I really don't understand how I missed out on knowing such an amazing lady. I am angry that my dad didn't make sure that we got to be part of her life. I don't understand that he never told us about her and his life growing up with his family. We did go and visit occasionally. We usually went up for an hour or so on a Sunday morning or on a Wednesday afternoon if it was raining and he couldn't play golf. Don't misunderstand I loved my daddy more than anything. He was funny and loving, he was sentimental and would even cry when he was touched by something or someone. He came from a wonderful pioneer family. They had grit and courage and a great faith. My Grandmother was born in the Black Hills of North Dakota to a Scottish mother and father. They were devout Presbyterians. Her name was Christine "Tena" McClarty. She wasn't even 5 feet tall, but she had a spirit about her and I am sure was more than ready to take on her adventure to Florida. My cousin sent a story out yesterday about the night before she left to come to Florida. My granddaddy's family had a 165 acre farm for more than 75 years and they were auctioning it off. Their land, their house and most of their belongings were being sold off to the highest bidder. The night before she left she walked her porch and touched all the things she would miss most. She must have prayed that evening for God to be with them as they made their trip. She was taking her 6 children and going to a place she had never seen before. She was leaving her family, friends and everything that she knew. I can't even begin to imagine how frightened she was. But I think my daddy was a lot like her and he was definetly an adventurous person, but this trip must have been so scary for her, but also exciting. They came to Florida and settled in Penney Farms. My granddaddy was and had always been a farmer, but he didn't know what he could grow in that dry Florida sand. I know times were hard for them and they must have had to make many adjustments and sacrifices. I wonder if my grandmother cried to go back home or if she she didn't complain and did the best she could to make a happy life for her husband and children.I found out that my grandmother did teach and she was an excellent speaker. She was a great story teller, but I am sorry to say I missed out on that. My cousins have said that she lived with them when she got to old to be on her own and she was always telling them stories from books she had read or memories of her life growing up. I remember going to see her when she was staying with them. She was sitting up in bed so tiny and frail. She had a big smile on her face and she began asking me about my life. I wish I had asked her more about her life. I know it must have been glorious. She married a widower with two children. She gave him six beautiful children and was willing to leave her life as she had known it behind. She must have loved my granddaddy with all her heart and soul. I am so proud to have had a grandmother like Tena and I hope I have some of her inside me. Happy Birthday! I love you....