Pass this on to a friend or colleague—click the above arrow to send a personalized email with this story or use the social network links below.

Read, Watch or Listen

Stories were sent to us in different formats—Audio, video and written. If you’d like to view stories for any of these formats, use the links below.

Written Stories
Video Stories
Recorded Stories

Share A Story

Do you have a good values-based story to tell? It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Share A Story Now

Your Comments

The real beauty of a woman is brought out in this story. What an awesome lady....most of us care for our physical beauty, but let us also work on becoming strong, full of strength, courage and the great determination which would make a girl really beautiful!
Posted about 4 years ago by Kirthishri M.V. from Bangalore, India

Thank you. I have just now gotten some renewed energy to fight through the medical problems I am facing. I will not let them overtake me. Thank you to you and your grandma.
Posted about 4 years ago by from

It's an inspiring story. I really love it. Thanks for the wonderful message.
Posted over 4 years ago by Ayub M. from Uganda

my grandmother died before i was born, I hope I can be a grandmother like yours, full strength, positive attitude & full of life. Wish there were more people like them.
Posted over 4 years ago by Kayleen M from Sydney, Australia

What a beautiful person your Ma must have been
Posted over 4 years ago by Christine H from New Zealand

I hadn't seen my grandma since I was born. I should have experienced being loved and cared by Susie May Isaacs. Her grandchildren are so lucky enough to feel her motherly warmth.
Posted over 4 years ago by Jory A. from The Philippines

My Grandmother was an awesome example as well. It shows how very important it is to always be your best even when you don't feel like it.
Posted almost 5 years ago by Lorie P. from Fowlerville, MI

must tell this story to your children
Posted almost 5 years ago by from

encouraging
Posted almost 5 years ago by becky k from houston, TX

Peggy

Susie May Isaacs, my great-grandmother, was a beautiful woman, both in person and in spirit. She lived through two World Wars and the Great Depression. She was born in a dugout in Western Oklahoma to a Cheyenne Indian father and white mother during a time of great upheaval for the Native Americans in the Oklahoma Territory. During the eleven yrs I knew her I received the gifts of witnessing determination, courage, faith, humility, love and perserverance.

Ma lost her leg when she was 83 due to poor circulation and was told she would be in a wheelchair the rest of her life. The doctors were astonished when she left the hospital using a cane and had named her new wooden leg 'Peggy'.

In 1982 Ma had a heart attack and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. During the weeks she was in ICU, the hospital did not allow children to visit. Ma became very upset and refused to eat until she was allowed to see her sixteen great-grandchildren.

We all had received bibles from her as babies which were filled with clippings of jokes and stories she kept in an old hatbox. When we saw Ma she gave us all $5. With the help of our parents we bought 16 new bibles for her to inscribe and fill with her clippings. Noone expected her to be able to sign them all before she passed away. But we all underestimated her courage and strength when she was released from her 'death bed' to go home and began her task of love. During her last month she inscribed all the bibles and gave them to us filled with clippings and hand written poems.

Many years before Ma's death she had told her friends she would die on a Sunday so she could meet her Lord when he wasn't so busy. She had a massive heart attack on Thursday afternoon. She endured eight heart attacks between then and Sunday morning at six when she went on to meet her Lord.

I believe the few short years I was blessed with the company of that wonderful woman have helped me to be strong during the rough times and perservere. The constant love, laughter and courage I saw that illuminated from Ma is what I remember most from a woman who met stife with a smile on her face and her head held high.


Story was submitted anonymously

Read Another Story

Start Something

Values on Campus! Start something on your College or University campus. Get_started_button

Awards + Recognition

See the awards our TV spots and billboards have received. View_awards