Look who turned 96, it’s Grama Red, and we had a mini surprise Birthday party for her at our local creamery, Mooville (rated number 1 in the state of Michigan). I called ahead and had a cake baked for her and we decided on one candle, if we used 96 we’d have to call the fire department and there’d be so many holes in the top of the cake there’d be no frosting left. Everyone got there before her and as she started walking in we all started singing “Happy Birthday” even the other customers chimed in. With her eyesight being so bad she didn’t even notice us until the singing started, it brought a big smile to her face.
We’ve had the party planned for a while now, and I was getting worried she wouldn’t be up to it. Two weeks prior she had a nasty fall and had to be rushed to the hospital for xrays. Early in the day she was outside cutting limbs off the pine tree and had them piled up in the yard, for some reason she decided to take a break, hop on her scooter, and go get the mail. The driveway is 1/4 mile so she has a long ride to get to the road. The scooter’s battery died on her so she got off and decided to push it. Well it backed over her and she couldn’t get up. Luckily the neighbor was driving by and he’s a male nurse so he stopped and got her up, went to the house for my Aunt Sherri, and they got her on the golf cart and back to the house. It happened to be when she fell it was in a mud puddle so she had to get cleaned up before the tip to the hospital. I met them there and waited while they xrayed her. Both arms are black and blue as well as one leg and she did break her elbow. So they bandaged her up and back home we went.
They don’t cast anything in the hospital anymore you have to make an appointment with a surgeon and they do it in their office, which we did. So a few days later I took her to the surgeon. We were sitting in the examination room waiting and there was a knock on the door, a very young good looking man poked his head in and looked over at Gram Red, he backed out and shut the door. A few minutes later the same man did it all over again. Now the third time he came in he said I’m looking for a little old lady, the chart says she’s 95……Red spoke up and said yep that’s me but I’ll be 96 in two weeks. The doctor said, wow I don’t know what you’re doing but you sure don’t look 95. He got a good chuckle out of her.
Doc decided with her age there was no reason to cast the arm just be careful and wear a sling if she was going to be doing anything with much movement. He also said no tree trimming for a while. She happened to mention to him she hoped nothing was broke because she had limbs in the yard she had to get picked up.
But Red is one strong lady and doing great, she had a few days she was under the weather but she’s bounced back now and was ready to party. The party consisted of all her children (that are still living, she’s had one son pass from cancer) and me. I do a lot with my Grama, I live just a few miles from her and see her almost daily. When I got ready to take the photo of her blowing out her “one” candle I said get closer to the cake Grama and she said she didn’t want to burn her mustache, she’s such a hoot. Beside her, helping her is my Dad, Stan. It looks to me like he may have been getting ready to blow the candle out too.
We all had ice cream and cake and chatted for about 2 hours. It was a small gathering but something my Grama cherished. There’s nothing better than having all your kids together in one place for the day.
Here’s a family shot. First Grama Red, My dad Stan, Aunt Chi, Uncle Stu, and Aunt Sherri my partner in crime for chicken raising and she also lives with Red and takes care of her and the farm. Gram did say she want’s a big bash when she turns 100 and who knows what she’ll have cooked up by then. I think I did hear the mention of pole dancing…..Im not sure if she meant for her or someone else.
Happy Birthday to Grama Red! She’s a kick in the pants, I tell you! I love hearing stories about her. May we all have Red’s energy and zest for life – not just when we’re 96, but now!
xo
Claudia
Claudia I see her spunk with age for sure so you know in her younger years she was a ball of fire 🙂
So glad she’s okay. It just shows how strong and spry she is. I want to be like her when I grow up.
Happy Birthday Grama Red!!
LOL Me too Kim she’s an amazing lady!
Oh Dawn…Grama Red is remarkable….I hope she keeps up her feistiness…my jaw dropped when I read about her trimming the trees!…what?…at 96?….yes, she looks amazing!!….and I only hope that my mom is exactly like her at 96…she is 6 years behind her and with her back surgery we are hoping that she will feel like the 20 year old that she acts like!…Happy, Happy Birthday to your precious Grama Red…loved seeing the pics!…
Shirley I know who at 96 still trims trees. I hope your mom is as feisty at 96 too 🙂
What an amazing lady. What a great day of memories for you all.
Becky, she sure is and it was fun to see everyone enjoying the day together.
Dawn, well that is a testament when the Doctor wasn’t sure he was in the right waiting room. Living life is what Grama Red is doing. Kathleen in Az
Kathleen, it was quite funny she sure doesn’t look or act her age that’s for sure.
Poor Grama Red, getting ‘run over’ by the scooter! She’s sure a trooper-good for her! Love her spunk and attitude! Happy Birthday to her 🙂
Susan
Thank you for the Birthday wishes Susan I will pass the all along to her.
Dawn,
Happy Birthday to Grama Red. She looks to be in her 70’s not 90’s. It is that good clean Michigan living and air. Glad she is ok from her fall. Poor Grama just glad she is doing better. Glad you guys had the party for her too sweet.
Kris
Thanks Kris, she had a great time. Most people guess her in her 70’s
Happy belated birthday to Grama Red. I’m catching up with my blogging friends after 2 weeks away on the west coast of the country visiting family.
Linda, how fun to be visiting family, was it hot out there?
I just love this story! Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story! Happy Birthday to Gramas everywhere! She really should have an Olay contract!
Anne I think I will contact the company and see if they want her for a model.
Precious memories I’m so glad you made! Family is so important, and you’re the world’s most helpful and caring granddaughter!
Aunt Ko, thank you so much you’re so sweet 🙂
Happy Birthday Gramma Red !….Wow..96…sure does not look like it. I really hope I look and feel like she does at 96. You have a remarkable Gramma , Dawn.
Cheryl, she is at that and we all hope we have her genetics 🙂
Happy belated birthday!
My mother in law– Big M turns 103 this September. We had a big bash in Houston, Tx for her 100th. 96 attended the evening party and all had a wonderful time. Big M ( Margaret) traveled to Oklahoma as a child in a wagon pulled by an ox, visited all 50 states, RVed around the NW for many years and flew to Europe on a jumbo jet. She lived on a farm in Oregon, raised her own cattle and chopped her own wood for heat! Had 3 husbands, 3 long term boyfriends and is still looking! Still going strong! My husband is the youngest at 73, Gramma Red, you go girl.
Bev that’s amazing 103, wow. I would love to talk with her, I bet the stories she has are amazing. What a lively lady she must be.
I’m so sorry to be late with this…HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMA RED!!!!…I just love hearing about her..she amazes me…I am 61 and not as healthy as her…Bless her wonderful heart!…I hope I am around in 4 years for her 100th…
Nancy she is striving for 100 and Im sure she’ll make it, she’s has a will to live and loves life.
Sorry for the lateness in wishing Red a “Happy Belated Birthday”
Thank you Chris I will pass on the good wishes to her 🙂