90th Birthday

My grandmother, Dot Coon

After weeks of careful planning, lots of hard work, and worry that the guest of honor might not be able to make it, the day had arrived.  The event was the 90th birthday of one very special lady, my grandmother Dot Coon.  A couple of weeks ago we thought we might lose her.  Yesterday we thought she was not going to be able to make it to the (surprise) party.  But she did!  She is one very tough woman.  All five of her children were there.  Most of her grandchildren were there.  And several great grandchildren were there.  And one great great grandchild.  All in her honor.  All because we love her. 

Grandma with all her sons and daughters and their spouses.

The day was perfect.  Hot, but not too hot.  A nice breeze blew through to cool things off.  The shade from the trees was wonderful and inviting.  The smell of the chicken being cooked over an open fire was incredible and made tummies rumble.  Getting re-acquainted with cousins was great!  And meeting spouses, children and grandchildren of cousins was a little bit daunting.

My dad with his mother.

My sister spent hours and hours in preparation of a book to give to my grandmother, from her children.  The best thing you could ever give to Grandma was a photograph.  Anything else she would just give right back.  So Daddy surreptitiously collected her photo albums and he and my sister culled thousands of photos to put together in a book.  Photos of Grandma's parents.  I believe even a photo of both of her grandfathers.  Photos of her as children. Photos of her and Granddaddy.  Photos of their children.  Photos of their families.  Six copies of the book were handed out, one to Grandma and one to each of her children.  Believe me, those books got conversations going!  And stories told.  I would listen to one, with my ears tuned to others at the same time. 

It was a long and tiring day, but well worth the time and effort of everyone involved. 

Thank you so much, Lord, for my Grandmother, for my family, and for the wonderful day You gave to us yesterday.

"Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."  Exodus 20:12

Reese