“Honor your Father and Mother that your days will be long upon the earth.” It’s the seventh commandment, and the only one with a promise. It came to mind as I thought about my Siti, the Arabic word for grandmother. My Lebanese Siti, Anna Simon Cantees, had eight children, six sons and two daughters. The only time I remember seeing her without an apron on was when she was in church.
Mostly, she was in the kitchen, stirring, stuffing, sautéing. Always serving, always making sure linens and shirts were clean. No easy task, with three children still living at home and fifteen grandchildren running in and out of the house.
My grandfather, Jido, George Cantees, immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s, most likely for opportunity and religious freedom, from what was then Syria, and is Lebanon today. He soon sent for Siti,his wife,and theirfirstborn son, Sam. In the old country, they wereChristians in a Muslim land, well-to-do and esteemed, but leaving meant they would leaveall but their faith behind.
In America their family grew, from one son born in Lebanon, to five more sons and two daughters born in Williamson, West Virginia, where they eventually settled. Respect for parents was instilled in the Cantees clan from an early age. When Siti, or especially Jido, spoke, their children minded.Another thing my grandparents instilled was love for America. They relished the peace and freedom of their new country and of the promises it held.
However, as the years passed, September, 1939, was upon them. Newspaper headlines echoed chaos in Germany and other European countries. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, five of their six sons enlisted and served overseas during World War II–Sam, Harry, Kamal, Johnny, and the youngest, Cullen, my father, only seventeen years old. He is shown with Siti and Jido above.
Siti was distraught, more than half her children opposed an enemy fortified to fight the world. Slight of stature with waist-length hair styled in a bun, she seemed less matriarch and more mother, cooking grand Lebanese meals and keeping the remaining family intact.
She prayed daily for her sons. One snowy afternoon, meditating on her porch, a glorious apparition appeared. As the storywas told, Siti kneeled and bowed her head, humbling herself, ignoring the cold, in anticipation of the answer she had prayed for. The holy mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, was her caller.”Don’t be afraid,” Mary had said, “All your sons will survive the war.”The prophecy was truth. In what was surely a miracle, all five sons survived without a serious injury.
It was a story I heard often growing up. Thinking of it today, I wonder how Siti must have felt with five sons at war. Shewas proud of them, of course. They had volunteered because of the love she and Jido nurtured–love of family and country. But now that love couldeasily turn to heartbreak.
I think of another mother’s love, the Virgin Mary. Her son, Jesus, was obedient, not only to His heavenly Father, but to His earthly mother. When Maryinstructed Him to turn water into wine at a banquet, before He felt His time had come, He respectfully obeyed, honoringthe seventh commandment and his mother.
Jesus Christ was a rabbi, a nurturer, a healer, and a heavenly king. and remarkably, in His human incarnation, our Creator began his ministry on a prompt from his mother, the Virgin Mary.
Mary certainly understooda mother’sheartbreak. Three years after that first miracle, Jesus’ death looked like history’s darkest moment as she sobbed at the foot of the cross. And, so, who better for a merciful God to send to make Siti this coveted promise?
Today, more sightings have been made of the Virgin Mary than any other heavenly being. Why? Perhaps becauseour heavenly Fatherknows who needs to see the vision of a mother.
Siti was one of the blessed who saw her. One mother comforting another.
Mom and I just loved this story about Siti! Wonderful job!!!
Proud of You
Thank you, darling Cheryl. Hug my auntie for me!
Love this story.
Thanks so much, Gaye!
While reading your story I thought of my grandmother and grandfather…you know I felt like your story could have been any of us with large families… we didn’t loss anyone in the War either but my Dad came home with TB…I would love to go back to 5th avenue and everything be just like it was…such a wonderful childhood and great friends…loved your story so much…I would like to read your book…well said…
This story mimics a lot of stories and families from that time period, I think. It’s amazing how many survived the war from our little town. I’m thankful your wonderful family survived, too. Thank you for your sweet comments.
The first of many warm and wonderful stories.
This is an incredible, touching story. Hope everyone will read!
Karyn…. So touching and so real…very proud of you dear friend. God has blessed you with a beautiful gift.
I remember going with you to stay with Siti one evening! She was quietly watching all of us interacting with such a tender smile and then she got this mischievous look on her face.She put one of her hair pins through her pierced ear ! I think we were talking about getting our ears pierced! We all were so impressed ! (Some of the other cousins were there as well, but I don’t remember who. Do you recall this? I just remember the love, warmth and laughter of your precious Siti that evening!
Linda, what a touching moment! Thank you so much for sharing it. I don’t remember it, but the sweetness, the way she would communicate because of her broken English is evident in your recollection. Yes, we have many wonderful memories that bind us! Thank you for sharing this, dear friend.
Touching in many ways. I like and I shared.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Susan! It means a lot to me that you liked and shared the story!
Beautiful story!
Thank you, Susan!!
I, too, love your story. Our hometown was certainly blessed by the Cantees families. Your Siti must have been a very special, very blessed lady.
Thank you for you thoughtful words, JoAgnes! Back in the day, there were a lot of Cantees in Williamson. I pray an influx of families will return. I wish you had met Siti. She was a quiet, Godly woman who had an influence on the lives she touched.
I love this story. It brings back so many memories of my visits to Siti’s home. They always treated me so nicely. I loved the Cantees. As I love you. Keep up the good work with your gift of story telling. I’m very proud of you and happy to have you in my life.
Such sweet words and memories, Connie. Thank you. You are my longest-running friend (notice I didn’t say oldest) and I so appreciate your support. Love you…
A beautiful inspiring story Karyn. Mary has always been important to me.
Thank you, Pam! Mary is important to me too. She is a good role model for us all.
Karyn just read the story and so touched…..Knew your good looking Daddy……in this family…..Keep up your
writing…you have been blessed dear one.
Sue, I appreciate your generous words! I’ll keep writing until I run out of stories! Thanks for reading…
Beautiful story of Siti! Love the Cantees families, Karyn. Can’t wIt to read more!
Carene, you are a wonderful encourager!! I appreciate you so much! Thank you.
Karyn, I just read your story about Siti and can’t wait to share it with Mother. You have a gift for writing and I look forward to reading more.
Tami, your Mother helped me along my path during my high school days! Please give her my very best!! And thank you for your kind comments!
Well done, Karyn. I never knew my Lebanese grandparents but Dad and all his brothers served as well. Your story reminds me of growing up in a small town and all the good times.
We’re so blessed to have had that small town upbringing and all the memories that come along with that, Nancy. You had a wonderful father and I remember him well!
What a lovely story and what wonderful memories it brings back. Thank you for sharing.
So good to hear from you, Nellie. Thanks for the kind words
Karen, I think you would like this book, The Patron Saint of Ugly. The author is from my end of Huntington and teaches at MU. The story is set in a fictional town in WV. http://www.amazon.com/Patron-Saint-Ugly-Marie-Manilla/dp/0544146247
LOL. Good choice, Anita! I love Patron Saint of Ugly! I’ve read it and given away 3 copies. And, Marie, being the dear she is, has even written a blurb for my book! She’s a great writer and a friend.
Karen I don’t know which story I like the best. I love them all.I do remember Siti especially sitting on the front porch on 5th Ave. I was raised on the corner of 6th and Harvey. Keep up the beautiful writings.
Well, that makes me feel especially good, Sharon! Thank you so much. And, yes, you would likely pass Siti’s house often. She was outside a lot. A precious woman.
I loved reading this!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, Brad. It’s your story, too. xo
I love this story and the picture of the three of them. I’m touched Karyn.
Very good job.
You, of course, have read this before, sweet cuz. I’m so glad it touched you. Love you.
Wonderful story of faith!
Thank you so much, Mark! I love telling it!