First of all I'm not like Melissa that would start snapping that people for asking completely reasonable questions so don't worry about itDo you mind me asking about your mom’s mum? Mel is obviously very positive about her - but you’ve noted above about your mom having a tough upbringing.
I agree - there are things that can drive people but to drink and drugs (I’ve seen it with my own parents) but we all have a choice and you seem to have taken a very sty hand of cards and have gone down completely different path so fair play to you.
To be honest I didn't really know my grandmother that well. And obviously not being in contact with anybody in my family when I was 18 I didn't really know her through my teens into my early 20s before she passed away.
She was lovely to me as a child like you would think a grandma would be but honestly I can't tell you what she was like because I didn't really have that relationship with her.