The Birthday Girl

This is me and my Grandma. Do you see a resemblance, because I really don't. Not that that's bad, I'm just curious is anyone else does.

Anyway, Grandma turned 80 on January 1st. To celebrate this momentous occcasion, my mom came up with the great idea to have people write Grandma a letter talking about how they feel about her. She got a lot of great stuff. And this is what I said...

Dear Grandma,

It’s hard for me to believe you are 80-years-old. You sure don’t look 80. You sure don’t act 80. But, then again, you never really have been the“norm,” have you? The other day I was helping tie a quilt. This is not something I’m good at or can do well. While we were tying, me much slower than the rest, I said, “Well, at least I can saddle a horse!” That got me to thinking of how much I do know that I’ve learned from you.

I can saddle, ride, clean, etc, etc, etc, etc a horse. Because of you, I found friendship in animals - Buttercup, Sar, Tide, definitely not Boldara - that I never would have had otherwise. Because of you, I spent countless hours in the mountains soaking up the beauty of this world, as well as your company. (Remember the discussion about the moose being the biggest deer?) Thank you for always listening during those rides. I can just image what you thought about my crazy musings, but you let me get them out and I will always appreciate that.

I know how to plant and care for a garden because of you. I don’t know if I ever told you that you were a big influence in my wanting to go into Horticulture. Your knowledge, that you shared with me, wetted my appetite for more. It still surprises me when you ask me questions -shouldn’t you know more than I do still? I also find myself sharing whatever extra I have from the garden - that is definitely something I learned from you.

I’ve learned so many interesting and silly sayings from you. I find myself saying “You’ll frost your bobbers off” more often than is really decent.(What is a bobber anyway?) “That is just as cute as Christmas.” I’m not 100% sure what that one means exactly, but it makes me smile. I mean, is Christmas cuter than other holidays? Just this morning, I said something was up to my “antegoozlem.” And, the ever present weather forecasting “You could make an apron out of that.” We can use that a lot in Washington.

I learned how to laugh - at myself, at other’s jokes and silliness. Especially at myself. Why take yourself too seriously? You don’t. You are willing to laugh right along with me when you’ve done something worth laughing about. Goodness knows I do silly things all the time. I love your laugh, Grandma, especially when you are laughing with me.

You can hardly talk about my grandma without talking about hardwork. That is your motto and way of life. Even though I sometimes think you should slow down a little bit, I am still impressed by how well you get the job done. You taught me to work. And while I may not be as busy as you are, I still know what it is like to do a job and do it well.

I, however, did NOT learn a few things from you. I did NOT learn to be pushed around by other people. I did NOT learn to keep quiet when something needs to be said. I did NOT learn to not be stubborn. I did NOT learn to cook - even thought you can, I think we’d both rather be outside. I did NOT learn to tie a quilt, or sew a shirt. And, I did NOT learn how to program a VCR because, well, “the cows could do it by now.”

But, most of all, I learned, have always known and will always know that you love me. You have done so much for me with hardly a thought for yourself. You have welcomed Brent into our family with open arms even if he is a prickly one (on the outside at least). You may not be the“normal” grandma, but you are definitely the grandma I would choose to be my own.

And even though there is no way that Grandma will ever read this because...well...technology isn't her friend, I want to say that I do love my Grandma. She is the craziest, weirdest, silliest person I know and I just plain old love her for that.

Happy Birthday Grandma!