Meet my Grammy Tibbetts. Born Helen Theresa Cutting, she married my grandfather Harris Herbert Tibbetts in 1935. She is pictured here with my mother, Sue Ellen Tibbetts, her only daughter. Helen had four children; Harris, Peter, David and Sue Ellen. My mother and her brothers were raised in Beverly, Massachusetts. Their family bought a small cottage on Long Beach in Rockport, Massachusetts where they spent summers. My mother eventually married and had a family of her own, as did her brothers. Long Beach became a second home to my sisters and I along with many cousins. Some of my favorite childhood memories were on that beach with family.
Grammy & Grampy Tibbetts shared their love of the ocean with their family. They also showed us that you don't need elaborate accommodations to enjoy the outdoors. We used to cram into that tiny cottage like sardines and never cared because we were with family and we were at the beach. I remember always wanting Grammy's "blueberry blanket" as we called it for our overnights. My sister's and I would argue over this small detail every time we visited. And I loved to sleep on the couch on the screen porch so I could hear the ocean, we'd fight over that too. We just wanted our favorite pieces of that place and were learning to share like any children would. My great-grandmother is part of these memories too; Grammy Cutting. She used to yell, "Don't slam the door" as we ran in and out of the house for snacks and back up the walk to the beach. Inevitably, the slam of the door would closely follow. I also used to run in and steal a swig of my grandmother's Moxie from the fridge and quickly decide that's all I needed, but still had to do it because of its allure. We'd have lobster feasts after my uncles spent a day on their boat. Grammy would make "German Cukes" which was something like sliced cucumbers, vinegar and milk. We all stubbed our toes running up and down the paved walkway. These small details are like family jewels; we bring them out and sit with them from time to time and are all left feeling rich.
Grammy Tibbetts died after a five year battle with breast cancer in 1987. During that time I was between the ages of 8 and 13 so the details are a bit scattered in my mind. Grammy had two radical mastectomies, four years apart. These are details anyone would shelter their children from, it's no wonder they are foggy. Her second diagnosis was rapid after what was called a "clean" mammogram. I didn't remember any of this until my mother recently told me. I've let my mother absorb these details and now it's my turn to help her relive my grandmother's journey but this time with a hopeful twist. Each person lost to breast cancer has a story. We can learn from these stories. Thank you Mom for sharing Grammy's story and joining me on this journey! I couldn't do it without you. Like you said, we all share Grammy's strength and that is an amazing gift.
Today I am grateful for the memories my grandmother and mother provided for us on the beach. I am also grateful that technology and education are on our side more than they were during my childhood. The Breast Cancer Fund is making sure of that and my climb in June will contribute to critical research and education to eliminate toxic chemicals that cause this cancer. I hope to share more stories about Grammy Tibbetts as well as other family and friend's and focus on the victories, big and small, as well the strength of these incredible people. Together we can find the silver lining in the struggles breast cancer has brought to our lives.
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