100 Years!

Today is the day we celebrate an event I have never personally celebrated before--a 100th Birthday. My Grandmother was born on May 4, 1909 near Philadelphia, PA and has spent her entire life living in Pennsylvania. For nearly 80 years she lived in the same house in Glenolden, PA until just before her 99th Birthday last year, she decided to move to a Masonic Home near Lancaster, PA.

When I was young, I remember spending a week with my grandparents every summer. My Grandfather was an accountant who worked in the County Treausrer's office until he retired in 1968. My brother, sister and I would get a chance to spending time with them, sometimes two of us, and occassionaly alone. My grandmother still recounts the time my younger brother was at their house when my parents came to pick him up, and he told them no, his time wasn't up yet and he wasn't going to go.

They also had a summer cottage at the top of the Chesapeake Bay, that we would spend time at either weekends, or a week's vacation there before we started taking camping trips for vacations. We always referred to it as "The Beach". Later when my own kids visited my grandmother there, my son tried to distinguish between Mom mom (my Mom) and Mom Mom (my Grandmother) and started referring to my Grandmother as Mom Mom Beach. She kind of took to it, because she still signs his card "Mom Mom Beach".

And that is the most wonderful thing about her--she still has her memories, and even though she is 100, she still has pretty good health and is capable of taking care of herself.

In November of 1981, just a couple of weeks before my son was born, my grandfather passed away after suffering from emphysema. I was unable to make it back for the funeral, because my wife was due with my son, but I worried just a little bit about how my grandmother who was then 72 would handle not having my grandfather around after 52 years of marriage. I didn't worry long. She not only learned how to drive, she started traveling a lot more, going on cruises, visiting her grandchildren, and taking other trips. Her last flight was in 2005 to celebrate my Son's marriage in Utah, when she was 96, although she has taken several other trips by car since then.

But the most amazing thing, was in 2003 at the age of 94, she had both of her knees replaced because of the severe pain, and she was glad she did it, because it enabled her to walk more steadily again.

Over 100 people will be gathered today in Glenolden for her 100th birthday, and it is expected to be a wonderful event celebrating her life and achievements. Among them are her 2 of her 3 Children, 6 grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren and her Great-Great-Granddaughter who will all be in attendance, along with one of her two sisters, also in her 90's. Her other sister along with her daughter--my mother have passed away.

It isn't even possible to articulate all the feelings I have for my Grandmother and her incredible life, I just wanted to publicly wish her a very Happy 100th Birthday!
And many more!