Tugboat Annie
Priscilla Schrock
Oregon City, OR

People remember her cooking most of all: the table heaped with turkey and trimmings, enchiladas, tacos, tamales, fresh rolls, and large fancy glass bottles of red wine.

She always had a drink in her hand and threw the best parties a teenager could imagine, but only when Grandpa Andy was out at sea.

Wider than she was tall, she had a presence no one could match. Except me. Public shouting matches between us didn't diminish our love for each other, rather they made other times even closer.

Tugboat Annie, Grandma, always felt warm and safe to me.