Wisdom from the past

I've been thinking about my Grandma Ree today, my grandmother on my mom's side.  Today is her birthday, 5 days before mine. She was born 105 years ago, in 1914.

When I was a little girl, I used to go and spend the week of Easter Break with her. Grandma was a devout Catholic, and every day we would go to the Stations of the Cross and say the Rosary. But we also would make cookies and play cards and visit.

Grandma Ree was always a widow in my eyes. My grandfather died before I was born, and she was this strong, fiercely opinionated woman who did everything she could for the people around her.

When I was about 6, she moved with my Uncle and his family to Texas, when he had a job opportunity. After that, we didn't have our Easters together anymore, but she would come up every summer for a month and about every other Christmas. And like a good granddaughter, I took up my rosary beads during those times, and she took up Ouija Board games with me.

We always called her "The Yellow Rose of Texas", because, within a few years of moving to Texas, my uncle and his family moved back, but Grandma stayed. She had made quite a life for herself in Arlington. She worked as a housekeeper and nanny for several members of the 1970s Texas Rangers baseball team, including relief pitcher Sparky Lyle and third baseman Buddy Bell. We had so much stuff that they'd autograph for us. I wish I had realized the value to future collectors. In the day, we just shrugged.

Anyway, over the weekend, I was cleaning (something I've been doing a lot more of these days for some reason) and discovered a perfectly formed letter that she sent me on my 14th birthday.

It was right after my parents divorced and from a distance, she sensed my struggles and would send me the most heartfelt letters.

Here is an excerpt from 1980 to her 14-year-old grandchild,

"Dear Kim, The events of these past few years have forced you to grow up much faster than I would have liked. You are now faced with new responsibilities. You have matured much this past year and I feel certain you are quite capable of handling whatever life hands out to you.

Learn to sift out the bad things and adhere to all that is good.

It is my sincere prayer that your character will be flawless, that your heart will be full of love for your fellowman, and that you find peace of heart...

(left out the part about going to church and saying the rosary...) 

Grandma is proud of all your past achievements and will be cheering you on to a brighter and more secure future.

Remember we all love you. Stay sweet and lovely always.

God Bless You, Grandma Ree"

I just want Grandma to know, I found her letter yesterday and I think her prayers were mostly answered. She was so wise. Thank you for all the love over the decades and happy birthday to our beautiful yellow rose of Texas.

We all love you, too, Grandma Ree.

The happiest day of my life

I'm looking forward to a special weekend.  Both our children now live out of state, but tonight they both are heading back to the homestead for the weekend for a special wedding.

I've come to increasingly appreciate those snippets in time when we are all together, because they become more rare with time. We gave our children wings. we must watch them fly.

But this weekend is special. A young lady, who I've known since she was 2, when her and her mom were in our preschool "Twos Class" at our church, is getting married. Just as becoming friends with a fellow mom was a milestone, seeing the first of our Twos Class marry is another milestone.

While I contemplate "I'm old", I simultaneously consider, "Wow, I've watched the generation grow up!".

In 2007, my grandmother was 94 years old. We had just relocated to a new home, less than a month prior. It was late October. I hadn't taken photos of the house, but hoped to have them in time for Christmas. Other scattered family members were in town to visit, so we had an impromptu reunion at her assisted living facility. It was an "Indian Summer" type of day. We sat outside in the sunshine, several generations visiting. My oldest was 12 years old and practicing her knitting, which I had taught her from the way Grandma had taught me.

Grandma was so delighted to see her great-granddaughter knitting. In fact, every moment of that afternoon was so delightful that her announcement at the end of our visit still resonates.

She said, "This is the happiest day of my life."

Say it again for the people in the back, At over 94 years old, having seen a lifetime of joy and sorrow, that moment, she confidently announced it. "This is the happiest day of my life."

I never have forgotten her words. They were spoken the last time I saw her alive. On her HAPPIEST DAY.

I've thought about that a lot since that day. I have no doubt that she had many happy days. I know she did. She had 4 children, a wonderful husband, and not so modestly speaking, terrific grandchildren. She was our matriarch and she was adored. She had celebrated births, weddings, and accolades. She lived an incredible life.

Yet, somehow, that particular day, she said, was "The Happiest Day of her Life."

Then I realized, she just grew happier. If you were not happy yesterday, you would be today. If you found a reason to be happy each day, it stands to reason, that each day would be the happiest day of your life.

Grow happy, increase joy, love your life.

Because if you're like my grandma, you can announce with sincerity, "This is the happiest day of my life."

I dedicate this post to my grandmother, Gertrude. She was amazing and I strive to live each day to be happy. I'll always miss you, Grandma. You are the queen.