Maya Angelou’s poem Phenomenal Woman is the basis for the current theme of Alaska Women Speak magazine (deadline Nov. 15th). I’d like to introduce you to two of the phenomenal women in my life: my mother, Evelyn Ward Mulholland, and her mother, Lida True LeForge Ward Timmons Abbott. No, Grandma wasn’t a royal with all those names – she outlived three husbands.
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That’s my Mom and me. Looks like an Easter Sunday. I can vaguely recall the picture being taken – or maybe I have just looked at it so much it seems like I remember it. Mom was an incredibly strong woman. She left an abusive relationship with my dad when I was 12 years old. Lookng at this picture with my 61 year old eyes – and with the knowledge my chosen field has brought me – I can see the stress in her face. My sister and I were always protected by her. I can only imagine the pain and suffering she endured.

That’s Grandma Abbott there – she was probably Timmons at the time. My younger sister is there to the left of the photo and I am the one in the newspaper hat. I loved hats – and she would take the time to help me learn to fold them.

I did not know my Grandpa Ward. He passed away before I was born. I remember Poppie Tim (as husband #2 was known). He ate peas lined up on his butter knife. And, we watched boat races with him and the family.

Grandpa Abbott drove (the last) Model A Ford – my sis and I loved to visit them in southern Ohio. They would load us up in the jalopey and we’d motor into nearby Athens, Ohio. Such fun. For awhile I thought he had purchased the very last Model A ever sold. It wasn’t until I reached adulthood that I realized it was the last model . . . not necessarily the last car of that model.

I know it’s not Mother’s Day, but I want to honor these two special women. They helped shape me into the woman I am today. I am truly blessed.