Ruby Nelson

In 1928 in Canada, my hero was born. My grandma, Ruby Nelson. My Grandma has courage, perseverance and faith. My grandma has courage because she was married the day the war had ended in Europe on May 7, 1945, also known as Victory in Europe Day or VE Day. My Grandfather was from Brooklyn, New York and stationed with the Army near my Grandmother's town, The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. He was an Engineer. My Grandmother’s new husband wanted to stay in Canada, but my grandma did not. At the age of 17 she went on a train all by herself all the way to the Grand Central Station from a small rural town in Canada to the largest city in the world, New York City, with only a picture of her mother in law in her hand.

My grandma is known for living in tough situations and not complaining, but making the best of what she was given and making it better through perseverance. She grew up without a dad and living with her mom and three brothers. She had no bathroom inside and no running water. It was a tough life. At the age of 17 my grandma rode on a train all the way to Grand Central station with no one, carrying only a picture of her mother in law in her hand.

When my grandma was 21, she went back to The Pas to visit her mother. She took the train again but this time she brought her 2 year old and 9 month old with her to visit her mom. When she saw her mom, her mom asked her if she had learned to drive a car yet. My grandma said no. Well her mom told her, Ruby if you can push a baby carriage, then you can learn to drive a car! So when my grandma returned back to New York, she signed up for driving lessons and the first road she drove on was the Long Island Expressway. She learned how to drive quickly! My grandma’s only son had died at the age of 9 years old. She refused to feel sorry for herself and instead put her faith in God.

My grandma is special for having the courage to move from a poor town where there were not many opportunities to New York City, a place where there were many opportunities. I am very thankful to have running water and to have an indoor bathroom. Also that I have a dad living with me. And knowing that anything is possible putting your faith in God.

In the end my Grandma had a hard working childhood but I admire her for it.