While I was in Ohio for the holidays, my mom and I went through old photo albums of my grandmother’s from the 1930s and 40s. There are tons of photos of her time living in Norway and France and then later in Egypt teaching piano to young girls.

My grandmother was a beautiful pianist; as a child she gave me my first lesson and then gave me her grand piano and all her sheet music! Growing up I would fantasize about being like her, traveling the world and teaching piano.

Here she is teaching piano in Cairo.

Later, she married my grandfather who was in the Navy. She and my grandfather and my mother ended up living all over the world — Italy, Turkey, Brazil.

When we found these photos, I felt like I had discovered a box full of treasure. I also have all her journals from these times which are fascinating.

My grandmother was such a brave, beautiful, adventurous woman who I still dream of being like. I couldn’t wait to share her story. ~shared by @maraleehope