Celebrating Grace's Birthday

My sister Grace's birthday fell on a weekday (July 14). On the weekend--the 16th--her daughter Sue, granddaughter Maria, and two great-granddaughters, Cordelia and Elise, came from out-of-town to visit and celebrate her birthday. Joining this group were her daughter Tina, grandson Steven, my granddaughter Megan, and I.

Tina and her son Steven (who is soon to be a Marine)



Sue

Elise seems to be telling Grandma Sue something very important.

After visiting at Grace's apartment, we lunched at Ruby Tuesdays. It was my first time at this restaurant. In fact, I did not even realize that it existed in our town! It is fairly new, but still. . . .Anyway, the lunch was very good and really enjoyed, although the noise in the restaurant was quite intense.



Tina, Sue, Elise, Cordelia, Maria, Grace, and Charlie Dog

It is always a treat to spend time with extended family!

Seventy-Five

When I was a child, I thought anyone over 60 was really ancient.

And 75? Couldn't even imagine that number as ever applying to myself. It was too incredibly distant in the future.

When I grew a little older, my perspective did change a bit. My grandmother was a lively and active person well into her eighties. My mother and aunts in their 50s and 60s were quite young in looks and actions.

And the years just kept adding on. Turning 60 was a bit of a shock to my system, but it seemed I barely blinked and I'd crossed over into yet another decade.

And now I am 75, holding a gift decoration to be added to my deck.

On July 4, 2016, I hit the three-quarters of a century mark. I really am an old lady. Can't deny it. But it is not quite the way I thought it would be when I was young. Yes, my body lets me know I am not young. But my brain just feels like Me. On the outside, age is part of my identity. On the inside, I am just myself. Life changes. Circumstances change. Time rolls on.

Seventy-Five

When I was a child, I thought anyone over 60 was really ancient.

And 75? Couldn't even imagine that number as ever applying to myself. It was too incredibly distant in the future.

When I grew a little older, my perspective did change a bit. My grandmother was a lively and active person well into her eighties. My mother and aunts in their 50s and 60s were quite young in looks and actions.

And the years just kept adding on. Turning 60 was a bit of a shock to my system, but it seemed I barely blinked and I'd crossed over into yet another decade.

And now I am 75, holding a gift decoration to be added to my deck.

On July 4, 2016, I hit the three-quarters of a century mark. I really am an old lady. Can't deny it. But it is not quite the way I thought it would be when I was young. Yes, my body lets me know I am not young. But my brain just feels like Me. On the outside, age is part of my identity. On the inside, I am just myself. Life changes. Circumstances change. Time rolls on.