A little bit of 90th Birthday Celebrating!

Recently we celebrated my grandmother’s 90^th birthday.

I continually am amazed when I think about how much change she has seen. It is incomprehensible to me. Television, phones, computers, cell phones – everything has come about during her lifetime.

But, I also realized that as time goes on, I hardly see some of my extended family. Funerals, weddings and milestone birthdays seem to bring everyone together, however.

The busy nature of our lives, miles and the ever-increasing new members of our families make it more difficult to gather.

In those moments when we do -- like this party -- I am reminded of all I am thankful for:

My grandmother is amazing! She looks fantastic, still has a great memory and looks gorgeous. My littles wish they could see her more often!

My littlest spent nearly the entire night with her great-great-uncles! My heart couldn’t have been happier there. The giggles from all three were so reminiscent of when I played with them as a small child myself.

I had some much-needed and long-overdue bonding time with my cousins, aunts, great-aunts and grandmother.

My children met my grandmother and aunt’s good friend Sr. Mary Eileen who, at 97, was able to leave the convent for a few hours to celebrate their friendship.

So, this week, I am celebrating time – the wisdom that comes with age, the love that comes with age, the forgiveness that comes with age, the joy that comes in seeing the love you’ve cultivated over the many years. I also feel incredibly blessed that my family thrives on familiarity. It could be that years pass between visits, but the love and kindness that we share still feels very much like we just saw each other yesterday.

You must have cake!

My grandmother and I

Sr. Mary Eileen and my grandmother -- love this friendship! 

My littlest playing with, giggling with and teasing her great-great-uncles!

My oldest and her great grandmother.

My kiddos, Sr. Mary Eileen and my grandmother -- caught on my iphone.