Deb’s grandma Leah turns 100 (!) in a couple of weeks. This past weekend, we were up in MN with the rest of the family (as well as some relatives from all over the country we didn’t know existed before) to celebrate this amazing milestone. After all the planning, worrying, and anxiety – everything turned out fine (anxiety in our family? What, are you new here?).
I’ve now known Leah for 20 years; we met just as she reached 80. And over this time, I’ve come to know her as a woman who has not merely lived this long – but who has enjoyed and appreciated the many things she’s experienced. She engages you in real conversation about most anything you might think: family and food, movies and music, politics and pop culture. And (unlike some), she’s ALWAYS interested in what others have to say.
For me, though, the most significant thing about grandma is that she has an active, vibrant, and real relationship with my kids, her great-grandchildren. I only knew one of my own grandparents; how cool is it that our 11 year-old son and 9 year-old daughter not only know their great-grandmother (they affectionately call her G.G. Leah J), and can “do stuff” with her too – go out to dinner; play games; tell her about what’s going on in their lives, just as she does for them; even walk around the mall (ok, so even using a walker, grandma’s usually faster than the rest of us, especially getting to a restaurant table!).
A hundred years is certainly nothing to sneeze at; and this 100 is the best thing I’ve ever had the chance to celebrate.
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