People Should Sing When You Turn 101

We made a day trip North last Saturday to celebrate my grandma's 101st birthday - on her actual birthday. It was just the best to spend her special day with her!! It was not as big a party as last year, but everyone local made it out to party (including two kids, four grandkids, and eight [and a half] great grandkids).

I'd like to think that Grandma's good days to bad days ratio is 50/50. But the bad day ratio is probably winning. However, her birthday was a great day. She was in such good spirits, was feisty and funny, and was so aware it was her day! My dad teased her a bit and she laughed and wagged her finger at him with such sass. We snagged a few group pictures and my Uncle Mike called all the siblings so that they could talk to Grandma. Uncle Richard even sang to her over the phone. Once the phone calls were done, we served the chocolate cake that she had requested.

My cousin Rachel's kids took our kids and Matthew's oldest outside to blow bubbles, color with chalk, run off energy ... and, if you are Declan or Jimmy, jump in the nursing home fountain. While the kids played, the rest of us visited and Grandma enjoyed a few of the other residents stopping by to wish her a happy birthday too. When she seemed to get tired, my mom and uncle went to take her back to her room.

Part way there, she got very upset at them. Because, you guys, we forgot to sing Happy Birthday to her!!! In true Uncle Mike fashion, he tried to convince her that she had forgotten, but she told him off (I love her!) and said "I did not forget! You didn't sing to me." So Mike and Mom sang. When they were done, Grandma said, "well, it's about time." She also told us to work on the far-flung relatives to get everyone home for birthday 102. She plans to be around for that. She isn't sure about 103. But she's not sure she won't be either.

If I can be half as cool as my grandma, it will be a life well lived!