My Gramma's Birthday

Today was my gramma's 84th birthday! I completely concur with our waitress who, when told how old Gramma was, replied incredulously "Nuh uh!".

I think we all have an age or time that we stick our family members at. To me, my Gramma is in her 60s, my mom is 40-something, which makes me up past my bedtime!

I'm so lucky that my Gramma has been such a formative part of my life. I like to think I have some of my independence and spirit from her. She fought breast cancer and kicked its ass, while at the same time took care of my grampa when he was dying of heart disease. She watched her second husband fight stomach and liver cancer which ultimately took his life. She has an iron will and a spine of steel. She laughs in the face of osteoporosis, arthritis and a genetic predisposition for strokes.

And, most importantly, she laughs at all of my jokes. I love her with a fierceness that is reserved for only the most important people in my life.

One of my favorite memories is from the morning of my wedding day. It was 6am and I couldn't sleep. I went out to the living room and she was sitting there. She and I talked about the past, the present and the future. We laughed, we cried. And I realized that no matter how old I get, I am still her grandbaby. And I am proud to carry that title.

Happy Birthday, Gramma! I love you so very much.