Lord, It's Hard to Be Humble

Originally Written Between 2017-2020                               

 

 Catherine was not one to brag or call attention to herself.  She had beautiful strawberry blond hair; however, if you were to mention that fact to her, she’d just “poo-poo” your comment and say it was too curly or too flat, too short or too long.

 

She was tall.  But, “too tall” in her words.  As a teenager, she hated that she was taller than her dates.  That changed, of course, when her dates got older and matured.  She had a nice shape.  But, she thought she was flat-chested and fat.  Of course, she wasn’t.

 

Catherine had a wonderful sense of humor and was kind and caring.  She remembered birthdays and anniversaries.  She shopped year ‘round for Christmas gifts that were “just right” for each individual. 

 

Catherine was the “Queen of the Art of Conversation.” I’ve lost count of the many evenings she would call me and we would talk for hours.  Usually three.  She could multi-task.  Talk and iron the clothes. Talk and sweep the floor.  Wash dishes and talk.  What a skill.  She had the longest cord on her phone and could walk all around her house, clean, and talk at the same time.  Oh, how I miss those conversations!  

 

Catherine could not accept a compliment.  I think it was because of her belief that one should always be modest and humble.  Being modest means pretending to be less than what you actually are.  Someone who is humble is not arrogant or overly proud.  She did not think that she was important and never called attention to her accomplishments.  I heard from her sisters that she was very intelligent and actually skipped a grade as a child.  But, I never heard it from her.  She was not one to brag.  She was very insecure and didn’t feel it was her place to acknowledge any accomplishments.

 

Catherine was one of Norm’s four sisters.  He also had one brother, Bill.  Bill went on to college and law school and Norm graduated from St. Thomas.  But, the four girls were not given that opportunity.  College was not an option for them.  They graduated from high school and immediately got a job.  Then marriage.  Then children.  I never heard Catherine complain.  That was just how it was in those days.

 

I first met Catherine a couple of months after Norm and I started dating.  It was the 4^th of July and Norm invited me to the annual McGraw family picnic that was always held at Catherine and Jack’s home in North St. Paul. Catherine was the best hostess.  She made all the food for the 80+ kids and adults every year.  After a few years when more spouses and children joined the family, we were finally able to convince Catherine to let each of us bring a donation to the food table.  Believe me, it took a lot of convincing. 

 

Well, the years went by and each year, the McGraw families all met on the 4^th of July at Catherine and Jack’s.  We are now talking over 50 years of gatherings.  About ten years ago, their oldest child, Peggy, and her husband, Jim, took over the hosting of the McGraw picnic at their home in Maplewood.  Catherine died five years ago.  But, you know….it’s funny – to this day, when we are asked what we are we planning on doing for the 4^th of July, we always say, “Oh, we’re going to Catherine’s.”  And everyone knows what we mean.  Catherine would be so embarrassed…. But, proud, I’m sure.  She just wouldn’t show it!