Monday, December 15, 2008

Celebrating 105

A very special birthday to Grandma Iva. Born in 1903 into a large farming family in northern Pennsylvania, Grandma's life has been rich with experiences of all sorts. Grandma's quick wit, gentle spirit, and willingness to share with those around her are attributes that her family and loved ones have enjoyed and benefited from. We have all enjoyed Grandma's stories of her early years. It's been said that on one of her first dates with Grandpa, the horse drawn sled they were riding home in somehow drifted off the road and they ended up turned over in a snow bank! That story has made family history! Grandma has always been an excellent cook and excelled in home arts. But she was also very much a farmers wife, harvesting crops, driving truck to deliver lumber or hay, and taking care of champion Charolais cattle or of the wild horses shipped to the farm from the west by train. As the years went by, Grandpa and Grandma expanded their farm operation to include a ranch in Arizona. Grandma retired to Arizona with Grandpa more than thirty years ago. She lives there to this day, enjoying Arizona sunshine and the TLC of her daughter and family close by. Tomorrow they will be all gathering to have lunch with Grandma Iva. How I wish we could be there too! We cannot, but send our love, greetings, and devotion to a Grandma who has made the world a much happier place to be. Happy birthday, Grandma Iva!

Photo: from Grandma's 104th birthday party; shown with her son-in-law

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:16 AM

    That is great!Congratulations and it seems like a wonderful life. Has grandfather went on to be with Jesus?

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  2. Wow! That's amazing. :)

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  3. Happy birthday to your Grandma! I can't imagine the changes she has seen during her lifetime.

    Blessings,
    Wanita

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  4. She sounds like such a warm and caring grandma, and a very hard-worker. Best wishes for her very special birthday!

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  5. How special to have your Grandma celebrating 105 years. Wish her a happy one from me too.

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  6. Anonymous1:21 PM

    Oh my, and what a interesting and full life she has lead. I hope that when I am her age(I can only hope)that I will be so loved and cherished by all I hold dear to my heart.

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  7. Happy birthday to Grandma Iva. What a treasure to have her in your life. ~Adrienne~

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  8. I well remember that beautiful photo...hope that you receive another of this year's get-together. Joining in to wish your Grandmother a very special and happy birthday.

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  9. How wonderful! It's so incredible always to have such fabulous elders be a part of a loving family. So much to learn and share together. Such insights to glean from the wisdom a past generation. Reading all that she had accomplished in her life, it never fails to go un-noticed how diverse the skill sets of that generation were....us younger generation could stand to take some more lessons I believe. Happy Birthday to her!

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  10. what a blessing !

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  11. I am hear in a
    Arizona, recently I visited a woman who was 105 in a nursing home in Mesa. I had called our church to see if anyone was in need of a visit, and if I could be of any service.I think the woman's name was Emily. I could go take a photo for you perhaps.

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  12. Anonymous11:55 AM

    Thank you for posting HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. I left a message on my youngest's cell phone that said "You'll be home for Christmas? I can count on you? There won't be snow, yes mistletoe, and presents neath the tree!" And I went on, knowing full well she was so far away and couldn't be home. She is the youngest of seven. Christmas eve, at ten pm..she arrived...in a rainstorm looking frazzled...and extremely happy! We laughed and cried and danced around. On Christmas day five of my seven were home. That poem..meant a lot to me. Thank you and I wish you a wonderful NEW YEAR! Mona

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