Not that my lovely little grandmother will ever see this but I put together this collage to celebrate her 98th birthday. I made the difficult decision to not fly out to California this year to visit her and I'm more upset about that than I thought I'd be. And I'd anticipated quite a bit of unhappiness. Anyway, I'm happy to report that she's still going strong at her age. Some of these pictures I took at previous years' birthday celebrations and others were obviously taken before my time.
She's had an amazing life and is a wonderful storyteller. Just when I think I've heard all of her tales about growing up in Germany, becoming a midwife (her midwife class is seen in the middle picture), surviving the war, emigrating to the United States, and making a life here she surprises me with something I've never heard before. My favorite new story is how she turned down marriage to a local boy, what would have been a stable, sensible match, because she knew she had too much of a sense of adventure to settle in the village. She wanted to see the world so worked to make that happen.
Anyway, I miss her as I miss my entire family and I'm glad to have had so many opportunities to spend time with her as I grew up.
Your Oma looks amazing for 98.. what a wonderful life she is living.... adventures..bet she is strong willed and looked after herself..I wish her many more years and for you more opportunities so visit with her.
Happy Birthday Wishes from one German Oma to another.
aw. I'm sorry you can't be with her to celebrate her special day. I'm going to visit my Grandmother in a few weeks...I so look forward to seeing her. :)
Thank you, everyone! You've made me feel a little better about not being there this year.
@jgoldrup Yup, I'm in that one. That was taken at last year's birthday celebration with her three kids, all but one of her six grandchildren, and her first great-grandchild. And of course a few other family members and friends to help celebrate.
nice collage.. my mum's German, a Berliner, married my dad in '47 and came over to the UK... she doesn't talk about the war much.. but always watches every war prog going...
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Wishes from one German Oma to another.
@jgoldrup Yup, I'm in that one. That was taken at last year's birthday celebration with her three kids, all but one of her six grandchildren, and her first great-grandchild. And of course a few other family members and friends to help celebrate.