one hundred

There are many family birthdays this time of year, including my son’s.

But one family member had a huge milestone this week: my grandma turned 100.

Think of all the things she’s seen since 1921. From listening to the radio in a snowy town in Iowa to watching television in California in the 1960s. To using an Alexa now, for listening to music.

When I saw her this week, she told me she liked to go back to school after summer because she had three brothers and all her neighbors were boys, so during summer they liked to play baseball or whatever. She wanted to go back to school so she could see friends who were girls. 

I thought that was cute.

She’s one of the most cheerful, upbeat people I’ve ever met. Whenever something goes wrong, she just sort of sighs and says, “oh, well,” and moves on, rather than stewing on it. She keeps busy with little walks. Even after she became legally blind, she still crochets by feel.

But I think the upbeat attitude is what is keeping her going.

Happy birthday, Grandma!

Four generations in this photo.