What a Wonderful Life

This year on Christmas Day I was with my grandmother at her little house in the hills of western Pennsylvania. One of the gifts she received was a book about actor Jimmy Stewart of It's a Wonderful Life fame. The book centers on Stewart's experiences as a bomber pilot in World War II. Grandma is an avid reader so if there is any uncertainty about what to get her for Christmas, a book is always a safe and welcome choice. But this book was special because it brought back some memories for her, and I learned something that I had never known before.

When my grandma was a little girl she lived in the city of Indiana, PA which was also the hometown of the Stewart family. As she grew into her teenage years and the clouds of World War II loomed on the horizon, she would often spend time with her Uncle Claire on his farm outside of town. Uncle Claire raised chickens and cows and would provide dairy and poultry products to those in the city. Grandma would go with him to deliver the eggs and milk on occasion and one of the stops was the big Stewart house up on the hill. She remembers the stairs that led from street level to the door of the imposing, beautiful home. They would be greeted by a kind and gracious Mrs. Stewart.

Grandma said the Stewart's owned a large hardware store in the city of Indiana and she remembers seeing Jimmy there on occasion helping his father run the store. He was a good bit older than her, so other than remembering him in passing she wasn't a close acquaintance. She does remember his sister, Virginia, a bit more since as a young person she was able to meet her. They all went to the same school.

It's interesting how someone can grow up in the same town as a famous person and even have some kind of personal connection to him. It's not an experience that many people can claim.

I'm glad Grandma recounted this memory to me. I thought it was a wonderful story.