it was one of those times

When all the work was definitely worth it!  My grandmother was so sweet at her party.  She was adorable.

My sister took her to church that morning, where they gave her flowers and cut a cake in her honor.  She usually goes to church closer to home, but they went all out since my sister told the priest she was coming.  He asked her in front of the congregation what words of wisdom she had to offer on reaching 100.  The answer could have been embarrassing (trust me, I know her very well!) but she said, “Love God, and your family.  That’s all I’ve got.”  Perfect.  100 years in five words.

Above is her granddaughter and great granddaughter. Below is her niece.

With all but two of her great grandchildren.   Someone took one of all her grandkids and our spouses, and I will have to get that soon.  Altogether we had about 50 people here for her.

 

With her niece who came from France just for her party.   (She is that sweet!) 

And some old photos of her from the 40’s.  We put up a few old photos of her.  Her comment – “oh, don’t look a me now that I’m old.  I was a looker!”

She told me about a dozen times, “you spent too much money, you went through too much trouble.”  And then later: “This was the best birthday I ever had in my whole life.  No one ever had a party like this for me before.”    

It is a fact of life, but a sad one, that many times she is beginning to be quiet and withdrawn. Not all the time; it comes and goes.  In a crowd, she will be off on her own, instead of in the middle for about a year now.   On her birthday, though, she was fully alert and attentive, and so appreciative.  It was so worth every effort to make her happy.  We had her all day yesterday too as my sister is flying home, as is my cousin from France.  She said – “you’ve made me so happy, Stephanie, can I stay here tonight instead of going home?”  She did, and was so happy when I sent her home with the flowers from her party.   It was a very good day for a very special lady.  (Please check out the post below for the details and photos.)

In the words of my grandmother – love your God, and your family.

Best,

Stephanie