I am dedicating this drawing series to my mother’s mother Laura Ann Krebs Ely of York, Pennsylvania. As I was writing my thoughts about the theme of this series, I was drawn to the quality of relationship I had with my grandmother. I also had some other indications that she is supporting me in this work. So, it’s just perfect to dedicate this series to her!

I dedicated the first drawing series to John Paul McDowell, my father’s father. He died when my dad was fourteen, so I never knew him. I learned what I knew from scraps of information and a few stories I heard from my dad and Aunt Annie. I feel him in my heart, nevertheless.

Whereas John Paul was born in Glasgow, Scotland to parents from Northern Ireland, the Krebs line had emigrated from Germany to settle in York County before the Revolutionary War. Grandma had deep roots in York County, where she was born on a farm (she moved to the city of York when she was fourteen).

I grew up spending a good half of the time at my Grandma’s house. Our bond was so deep that even now I mine it for meaning. Grandma was a firecracker, fast on her feet, quick-witted, and down to business. On the other hand, she was deeply devout. She passed at age 98. One of the last times I saw her she said to me with a twinkle in her eye, “Next time you see me, you’ll be looking at me. But I may not see you!”

That was Grandma.