By Terra Avilla
Some people make a place feel like home. For me, one of those people is Shirley Hagan. I call her Gram. That is what my best friend calls her, and since I have lived in Susanville, she has been every bit my grandma too.
We all know what makes a grandma good. It is the warmth, the thoughtfulness, the way she remembers the little things without making a big deal out of it. Gram has all of that.
She never forgets to ask how Frankie is doing, and she always asks how my girls are doing. You can tell she really cares about the answer.
Whenever she is invited somewhere, she shows up. She comes with a card in her hand, every single time. Inside there is a five, a ten, or a twenty-dollar bill. It is such a classic grandma move, and it makes you feel loved in this quiet, simple way that sticks with you.
And then there is her quilting. Oh my gosh, do not get me going about her quilting. I have blankets that she made, and they are the kind you keep forever. Every stitch feels like time and love that she decided to give away.
When I wrap up in one of her quilts, it feels like being wrapped up in her.
All the girls talk about what a sweet person she is. They are right. She is kind, gentle, funny, and just easy to be around.
Gram is a blessing to everybody who knows her. People like her are a big part of why we love this place and why it still feels like a real community, and I hope she knows how much I love her.
