I've written a lot about Grandpa Ed recently, but there's another senior in my life that I haven't mentioned yet. My sweet Grandma Nelda turned 95 last Monday. I know, I know....my kids keep reminding me that they'll be taking care of me forever. There's a lot of longevity on both sides of my family. Sorry boys.
Grandma Nelda is my dad's mother, and she lives down the street from me in a beautiful adult family home. We moved her here from California a few years ago because she was having a hard time getting around and was becoming quite forgetful.
I never got to live near Grandma when I was growing up. We moved to North Carolina and then Washington, only getting to see her in the summer or on spring break when she came to visit. She always arrived in her forest green polyester "travelling" suit, which earned her the nickname "green granny".
She was that fun grandma that everyone wants to have. When I was ten, the movie Saturday Night Fever came out, and Grandma Nelda was smitten with the story and John Travolta. She decided to take disco dancing lessons, and on her next visit she taught my brother, sister and I to disco. I will never forget strutting around the living room to Stayin' Alive - we were the envy of all our friends.
When I was fourteen, she took me to see my first concert - Barry Manilow. After it was over, we hopped in her car and followed a limousine from the venue to a nearby hotel, because she was certain Barry was inside, and she wanted her granddaughter to meet him. It turned out to be someone else, but I will never forget the excitement of chasing that car around town.
Grandma has had her share of difficulties. She's buried two children and a grandson, and endured a cheating, alcoholic husband. But she's always known how to find the positive in a situation, because life's too short not to have some fun.
I feel so lucky to have her living nearby in her final years. I'm able to visit her regularly, keep her stocked up on her favorite chocolate bars, and take her out to lunch. I asked her on Monday if she had any advice after 95 years on earth. Her reply? "95? I've been here too damn long"! Alrighty then.
She reads my blog every day, so this is dedicated to her. Happy Birthday Grandma!
Ha! I loved what she said : ) I think it is so cool she reads your blog daily.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
The ladies at the family home help her get on the computer every day. Not sure she always likes what she reads though :)
DeleteHappy birthday Grandma Nelda! She sounds very young at heart and your boys are so lucky to know their great-grandparents, Lana! I wish I could send Nelda a chocolate bar for her birthday!
ReplyDeleteMy boys have been extremely lucky to know two great grandma's and a great grandpa. When my older son was born, his great-great grandma was still alive, but she passed away soon after. I'll give Nelda a chocolate bar from you!
DeleteThat's so wonderful! My Nana and your Grandma Nelda sound like birds of a feather--tough lives in many ways, but with an irrepressible sense of fun and adventure. Happy birthday to her!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
DeleteWOW Happy 95th Birthday to Your Grandma and may she make it pass 100!! She sounds like a darling great woman and how sweet and supportive that she reads your blog every day.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend Lana. <3 Ada.
Thank you Ada! Her parents made it to 99 and 100, and she's very healthy, so she'll probably get there too!
DeleteHappy Birthday to her!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandma is 93 and I hope she'll make it past 100.
Thank you! Hope both of our grandma's get to 100!
DeleteWhat an amazing woman and it's so great she is young at heart! Happy Birthday to your Grandma!
ReplyDeleteJill
dousedinpink.blogspot.com
Thank you Jill!
DeleteLove her spirit and hope to be the same at her age! Actually, hope to GET her age!
ReplyDeleteMe too - especially if I can be like her and Grandpa Ed.
DeleteThis is so sweet, Lana! She sounds like an amazing woman, so fun and positive! We can surely learn from such fine example. Lovely post, and now I'm missing my Grandma. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to make you miss your grandma. Being positive is a great plus in a long life!
DeleteWhat an amazing woman!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you - she really is!
DeleteLots of longevity in my family too, I had my great grandma until I was in my late 20s and both of my kids knew my grandparents.
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother sounds like she was so much fun. Happy Birthday to her!
Thank you. I'm so happy to get to spend this time with her now.
DeleteHappy birthday grandma Nelda! That's so awesome! My mother and father had me late in life so by the time I came along I only had one grandma but she died when I was 9. I still have some great memories of her though!
ReplyDeleteMy husband never knew his grandparents, but he really enjoys mine!
DeleteHappy happy birthday to your sweet and awesome Grandma Nelda! I love that she taught you guys to disco - what fun! And chasing a limo so you could meet Barry Manilo after a concert? SO COOL. I hope it's a wonderful and amazing day for you all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristi. She was always so much fun and I could never wait to see her!
DeleteWow, your grandma sounds so neat Lana. I love the stories about teaching you guys the disco and chasing Barry Manilow! She must be a lot of fun. I have a 97 year old grandma who I have nearby and adore too. We are so lucky aren't we? They are so wise too.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky! I love having my grandma nearby - glad to hear that yours is nearby too!
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