Adrienne's and Dan's thoughts

When I think of Grandma Carpenter, I think of kindness and support.

I think of kindness because I can’t think of a cruel word she’s ever spoken. Criticism - yes, but harshness - no. Always wanting to push me to do my best, she never held back her point of view for my improvement. I remember on many occasions giving her some drawings or paintings I had done and she made it her duty to study them and find my flaws – not to humiliate me, but so that I could be aware of their presence. Then, she would show me new techniques for shading, texturing, etc. She would proudly display her won artwork and tell me of her experiments and things her teacher had taught her. I remember being stunned several times to hear that someone who had been painting so long still had a teacher. Thus, I was humbled and encouraged further. This isn’t to say the criticism never hurt, but it’s far better than never maturing or realizing your flaws.

I also think of support because I knew she believed in me. I know this because she bothered to study my artwork at all, and also (most importantly) because of the care packages she sent. For years, I received boxes of paint, charcoal pencils, drawing pads, instruction books, brushes and some of her own paintings. Again, she would never have done this if she hadn’t believed in me, and when I got discouraged or if someone hated my work, this was often the push that kept me trying again.

I grew up with these nuggets of her personality in my heart and mind, but I saw her in a new light only three years ago. Dan, Elisha and I went to Grandpa and Grandma’s house for Christmas, and we all sat around in their living room opening presents. Grandma sat on the fireplace hearth watching all of us open our gifts. She waited until we were done to start opening hers. As she did, everyone stopped what they were doing to watch her. We were all seated in a semi-circle around her, most of us on the floor looking up at her. And as she was the focal point, I remember thinking to myself that she had ascended to a place of being a beloved matriarch. I felt myself long to be precisely where she was at that moment (in about fifty years).
- Adrienne Michelson

When I think of Grandma Carpenter, I’m just very thankful to have known her for the short time that I did. I liked simply sitting around her kitchen having good conversations. I loved hearing her stories. Her art always made me appreciate a simpler life. She left us a legacy that we can look up to.
- Dan Michelson