In Sequoyah County, the start of the school year brings a flurry of excitement and nerves, but for one Muldrow family, it also brings family stories from a different time and place.

Mary Stevens, or “Grandma Mary” as she prefers, is a beloved figure in the community, and often finds herself reminiscing about her own school days, not in the United States, but in the vibrant and bustling country of India.

Stevens, who was born in Sallisaw, says her journey began many decades ago when, as a young 8-year-old girl, she accompanied her mis-sionary parents to India. The sights, sounds, and smells of the country were a world away from the small town she had known. The colorful saris fluttered in the wind, the scent of spices and incense filled the air, and the constant hum of life in the streets, with its rickshaws and vendors, was both overwhelming and exhilarating.

“Every morning, I would walk to school past the temple, where the bells would ring out, mixing with the calls of street vendors selling their wares,” Stevens recalls, her eyes bright with memory. “It was a sensory overload at first, but soon it became the rhythm of my daily life.”

Grandma Mary says that school in India was a mix of challenge and wonder. The classroom was modest, with old wooden desks worn smooth by years of use and a chalkboard that had seen better days. But what the school lacked in resources, it made up for in spirit. She quickly learned that education was a universal language, even if the words sometimes got lost in translation.

“I remember my first day trying to speak Hindi,” she says with a laugh. “The teacher was patient, but I could see the other children stifling their giggles as I stumbled over the words. It was frustrating, but I was determined to learn.”

Despite the initial challenges, Stevens found joy in the little things— like the day she won a class art contest with a painting of the local market, or when she helped her best friend Meera with an English assignment. These small victories were celebrated with sweets wrapped in colorful foil, shared with friends under the shade of a banyan tree.

“My favorite teacher was Mrs. Patel,” she reflects. “She had a way of making every lesson feel like an adventure. One day, she took us outside to learn about the different trees in the schoolyard. She would tell us stories about each one, weaving in bits of Indian folklore. Those are the memories that have stayed with me.”

“There were times I missed home terribly,” Stevens admits, her voice softening. “But those experiences taught me resilience. I learned to embrace the unknown and find beauty in the differences. It made me who I am today.”

The cultural exchange was not just one-way. Stevens brought back pieces of India with her—literally and figuratively. Her home is filled with vibrant fabrics and hand-carved wooden elephants, but more importantly, she brought back a deep respect for other cultures.

“India taught me that there’s so much more to the world than what we see in our little corner,” she says. “It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me all my life.”

Her time in India also influenced her parenting. She encouraged her children to be curious about the world and to value education as a gateway to understanding different perspectives. Now, as a grandmother, she continues to inspire her grandchildren with tales of her youthful adventures.

As she looks at her grandchildren preparing for their own school year, she can’t help but draw parallels.

“Education might look different now,” she says, “with all your technology and modern classrooms, but the essence remains the same. It’s about discovery, about learning who you are and how you fit into the world.”

Stevens dreams of one day organizing a cultural exchange program in Sequoyah County, where local children can learn about different countries, just as she did.

“Art, stories, music— they all have the power to bring people together,” she says. “I want to create a space where everyone can share their creativity and connect with each other, just like I did so many years ago in India.”

In the end, it’s not just about back-to-school for Stevens—it’s about back to those cherished memories that have shaped her into the wise, compassionate woman she is today. And through her stories, she continues to spread joy, understanding and a love for learning in her community.