Today is her 81st birthday. Last year, the family gathered and threw her a surprise party - to say she was surprised is a tremendous understatement. I flew in to Pittsburgh the day before the party, telling her I was able to get a really cheap ticket and thought it would be cool to spend a day with her before heading to Ohio. My parents were coming to pick me up the next day, so Grandma wasn't thrown off by seeing them. It *was* a little odd when we insisted on going to my uncle's before we went out for lunch (and believe me, convincing Grandma to go out for lunch instead of letting her cook for us was a near miracle - the woman is stubborn, to say the least), but Grandma went with it. I think she was preoccupied with the flutter of activity around her and didn't really question it.
We arrived at my uncle's and went in ... Grandma was confused to see balloons. She continued out to the sun porch, where she saw my sister and brother-in-law from Columbus. My uncle, aunt and cousins from Michigan. And then she saw my brother and sister-in-law, who flew in from Colorado for the party. She. Was. Floored. I think she expected me to be as shocked as she was, but I was just happy that we'd pulled it off.
We took some photos in the backyard and headed back inside. Grandma thought it was time to settle in for some family time and laughed about how we'd fooled her.
The fun wasn't over, though. Over the next few hours, Grandma's neighbors, childhood friends, extended family and loved ones stopped by to wish her a happy birthday. Each time she greeted them with hugs and tears and admonishments that they shouldn't have done this to her.
I wish we could gather like that every year. (I'm sure Grandma would agree sans the shock and surprise.)
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Fifty years after Grandma was born, my friend Julia was born. I have known her for about one of her thirty-one years, but I'm glad to have met such a cool coworker and friend. She is always there when I need to vent, gossip, laugh, etc. She was by my side as I completed my first official 5K run. She was there to assure me that I would, in fact, get everything done in time for our wedding. She's been the source of answers to countless questions, and she's going to be extremely missed when she leaves the Times next month to go to law school at Duke. (But Tim and I are looking forward to visiting the Raleigh-Durham area!)
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And 10 years ago, I announced every other member of the graduating class at LHS (Dave Markoski announced the other half), then walked across the stage myself to receive my high school diploma. It was a sunny, warm evening, which was fortunate, because graduation was held in our high school stadium. It was an emotional day, but the biggest things that jump out at me are the fact that Doug was not even a year and a half old yet and my parents, siblings and grandparents were there.
Oh, and don't worry - I *will* update with photos. The links above have photos of Grandma and Julia, but when I get a chance, I'll throw up some good ol' graduation photos, too :-)
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