Friday, September 21, 2012

[Life] A Letter to my 90 Year Old Grandmother

{This weekend is my Grandmother's 90th birthday. What did she ask for for her birthday? A party. Yes, a party. And from what I understand, her party is going to have 60+ guests. Awesomely loved lady, that grandmother of mine. I will actually be traveling up to PA for the weekend to be there for her big celebration. In honor of her big day, each of the family members were asked to write a letter to her. Below is mine.}


It's quite possible my fashion sense runs down the family tree from this lady...


Grammy,

Rudy Giuliani, the ex-mayor of NYC, was once quoted as saying "What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance.  They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life.  And, most importantly, cookies." I happen to agree with him. Especially on the cookies part. Really. I look forward to your rollout cookies every Christmas. They're still my favorite.



Today we're all here to celebrate the amazing woman that you are. You have touched the lives of each and every person in this room - and most certainly you've made a huge impact on me. All those attributes Mr. Giuliani spoke of are a part of who you are: loving, kind, patient, comforting. Even humorous. You always have a joke to make me laugh every time I call you, and we all know what it means to do "an Emma". You might want to remember, Grammy, that the difference between tvs and microwaves are the handles.

My Grandmother was a Rosie the Riveter - the one in front is her!


Some of my fondest childhood memories have you in them: going with Pop to meet you for lunch at Sears, playing at the playground, taking a trip to your childhood home and seeing where you grew up, going to late night Christmas Eve services with you and Mom.

Me and Grammy playing at the playground - notice her heels!! Haha


I feel really, really fortunate that I was lucky enough to grow up so close to you. I got to spend so much time with you over the years, and share so many holidays and birthdays and life events with you, and I'm so happy you were there. You have taught me so much, like the importance of family and a great pair of heels. There is so much about you that I admire.



I admire your light. You have this inner light that just shines, all the time. You're so vibrant, and active, and social. You're the type of woman who asks for a hot air balloon ride for her 70th birthday. The type of woman who in retirement seeks out adventure - road trips across the country, trips to the other side of the world. You have a such an amazing zest for life and I aspire to be so many things that you are.



People love being around you because you're so welcoming and fun and you can light up a room. You haven't lost a bit of your youthfulness. I mean, you're really not a day older than 21. I am so proud to know you, proud to be your granddaughter, and proud to share in this special day with you. I hope, when I'm 21 for the 50th, 60th, or 70th time, that I have the amazing verve for life that you do. I hope I still love with all my heart like you do. I hope I still want to give of myself and my time, like you do. I hope I still want to travel, and volunteer, and spend time with my friends and family and just enjoy life to the fullest like you do. I love you, Grammy, so much more than I can ever say. Happy 90th birthday.

My mother and grandmother


All my love,
Jamie


Hubby and Grammy at our wedding







Grammy with my mom's twin brother




5 comments:

  1. Aww what a sweet post! I hope she has a wonderful birthday party!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Sept. Group Giveaway!

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  2. Your grandma is my kind of woman. I love birthday parties. She has such a fabulous collection of dresses. She is beautiful!

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  3. This is such an inspiring letter! I myself am in the process of writing a blurb for my grandmother's 90th birthday and yours gives me the inspiration to start where I couldn't find the words.

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  4. Thank you for posting this! I am to give a speech at my grandma's 90 birthday next week - and public speaking is NOT my forte, even if it's for my family! I definitely used this as a blueprint for what I will be saying.

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  5. Thank you for posting this. This is so beautiful. I am speaking for my gran's 90th next month and I have been so anxious. This has given me a kick in the butt.

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