A Tribute to my Great-Grandmother who Lived a Value-Added Life

When I reflect on the people who shaped my early life and influenced the path I would follow, I think a lot about my great-grandmother, Artemisia Cagoulides.?I was fortunate to grow up a few miles from Yia-Yia (the Greek word for grandma) and to know her until she passed away in 1990 when I was 22 years old.

This year marks 100 years since she made her journey to Ellis Island from war-torn Europe. That transatlantic voyage changed the trajectory of her life and ensured the safety, stability, and opportunities for her future family. I am grateful for the brave decision she made a century ago, the values she imparted, the moments we shared, and her example of a value-added life.

The Value of Resilience

On October 27, 1922, Yia-Yia boarded the passenger ship, S.S. KING ALEXANDER, in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey), and arrived at Ellis Island three weeks later. She was a poor, Greek refugee fleeing the collapsing Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I. She was unmarried, 20 years old, and didn’t speak any English. Yia-Yia and my great-grandfather (also a Greek refugee, but who had immigrated years before) eventually settled and raised their family in California.

I grew up hearing Yia-Yia’s stories about her journey from Ordu (on the southern coast of the Black Sea) to America. She described the harrowing escape to “the mountains” to hide from soldiers, the long walk to a refugee camp, her year-long battle with malaria, and her anxious wait to gain approval to depart Turkey. She didn’t provide a lot of detail - at least not in front of me. However, I spoke with other Greek immigrants who lived through the chaos and turmoil of post-war Anatolia and have a good idea of the trauma she must have experienced.

Yia-Yia endured more insecurity and sacrifice as a young adult than I will face in the course of my entire life. Yet, she largely put it behind her, focused on the future, and was generous in her warmth and love (often expressed through her wonderful cooking) towards everyone she met. I learned a lot from her about the importance of resilience during hard times.?

The Value of Gratitude

Yia-Yia loved her adopted country. Immigrating to America saved her life and provided her family with hope and security. I know that my early sense of gratitude towards the United States came from her. My fondest memory of her is when she would talk about the day she became a citizen:

I am sitting with Yia-Yia at her kitchen table and eating kourabiedes (Greek powder sugar cookies). She asks me in broken English, “Diana, have I told you about day I become citizen?”

Before I can answer, Yia-Yia rises slowly from the table, shuffles to a nearby kitchen drawer, and retrieves a laminated newspaper clipping. Returning to the table, she sets it in front of me and has a very satisfied look on her face. It is an article from the local newspaper with a black and white photograph of my great-grandmother standing in a courtroom, her right hand raised, and reciting the oath of citizenship.

“Yes, Yia-Yia," I respond, "you told me." We had repeated this photo ritual many times. Still, I look at the photograph, one of her most prized possessions, as though it was the first time I’d seen it. I read the caption and give her a big smile. She tells me she is proud to be an American.

I didn't appreciate it at the time, but now I recognize how important it was for my great-grandmother to share that photo with me. She had endured tremendous hardship and loss early in life but, thanks to her adopted country, her great-grandchild would enjoy security and opportunity. No wonder we looked at the photo so many times. I will never forget her gentle and constant reminder about the importance of gratitude.

In Closing: A Special Connection

Yia-Yia passed away from cancer in December 1990, six months after I graduated from West Point and the week that I arrived in Germany for my first Army assignment. I was heartbroken by the news, but comforted that she was no longer in pain. She left me two of her most valued possessions: her Singer sewing machine and her wedding band made of Turkish gold. Every time I look at that Singer and the ring, I am reminded of another poignant moment between us:

We are standing at the front door of her house, saying good-bye. Yia-Yia doesn't want me to leave but it is a school night and I need to catch the bus to go home.

She says in broken English, “Diana, we have special connection because we have same name."

I smile and respond, “Yes, Yia-Yia. Diana is the Christian version of Artemisia.”

Yia-Yia smiles back at me. She gives me a big hug and tells me she loves me. "Σε αγαπ?."

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Who are the value-added people in your life? Have you told them lately how much they mean to you?

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[The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or the US Army.]