Several weeks ago, little grandma gave all of us quite a scare. We didn't think God was going to let us have her here on earth for much longer. With deep emotions and love we had to surrender to the thought that she may not greet her 100th birthday on earth. By God's grace and love, her strong body miraculously found a way to conquer the ailments and lo' and behold, the family was planning a 100th birthday party on short notice! And, by looks of all the pictures one could not tell she was so ill just weeks prior.
So, after family were called and invited, everyone buzzed on, "what do you get Grandma?" Well, obviously, she doesn't need a gift. She has the best gift at her age and that's her family wanting to take part in this milestone of a birthday!
I was blessed to be able to come up with a fun idea that met the family's approval! We did a theme gift exchange. The initial idea behind the theme was for the great grandchildren to take part in this milestone and leave with a memory to last a lifetime (maybe even 100 more years of a life time). The assignment was to bring a creative gift or art that reflected a "100" theme. The item could be used as a table center piece or a piece of art to be displayed as decoration for the party. The example I gave the family was to bring a jar of 100 M&Ms. The hope was that those who chose to participate would have a project that incorporated their relationship and/or memory of grandma. Goal was achieved! That's exactly what happened.
The gift exchange was treated like a White Elephant exchange, except everyone had a chance to present their gift story to ALL before the exchange started. BUT...BEFORE they could talk, Grandma took center stage! A few days prior I asked her if she would be willing to share the story her mother always told her about "her personal birth" in 1914, and SHE DID! She spoke for almost 16 minutes straight. Not only did the grandchildren learn of buggies and carriages, but trips to Mountainair for the midwife, and horses but also of how she met my grandpa at the Depot Cafe, their courtship and eventually marriage! What a memory gift in itself!
- (note: YouTube video of her 16 minute speech will be linked here)
Here's a sampling of stories captured:
- Great Grandson: Grandma told him stories of how she fed the soldiers on the troop trains, so he created a tin can with 100 plastic soldiers along with a storybook he created of her telling him the story
- Grandson: 10 oz of grape juice! All grand kids fondly remember her little green glass of grape juice sitting out by the stove until it reached room temperature. Only then would she drink before heading out for church.
- Granddaughter: a beautifully decorated glass jar filled with 100 mint milanos! There was never a time when you would not find a package tucked in the frig!
- Daughter: 100 Andes Mints along with one of her crystal bells from her bell collection. Just yesterday there was a box tucked in the frig. Everyone present had their share of mint milanos.
- Son: 100 quarters in a vase with flowers. While growing up she always had a personal stash for the laundromat!
- Great Grandson: a homemade wind chime with the number 100 dangling. Her porch has always been decorated with wind-chimes...who doesn't remember hearing the dangling.
- Me: 100 biscochitos along with her recipe decoupaged with her high school picture and original stickers she had collected.
- Great Granddaugher: loomed bracelets with a total of 100...she learned how to loom in 2014 at her Little Grandma's house!
- the list continued...many photo collages, photo shadow boxes, more candy, animal cookies (it's the 100th b-day for them), cracker jacks (also 100th b-day), a memory box where family got to write their favorite memory on a card, a 100 chocolate kisses (cuz grandma always kisses him when he walks in the door), a photo frame with 100 stars (cuz that's what he remembers seeing when sleeping at grandma's), 100 dum dums (always hard candy at grandma's), cat bookends, little book of 100 quotes, a pink jewelry box filled with 100 pink bells, and I'm sure I missed a few!
It was a special time and all seemed to appreciate the effort put in by all. The cool part was everyone left with a special gift and a warm memory that will last a life time!
For me, it wasn't remotely about the gifts, it was truly the memory and the laughter and the tears that accompanied the afternoon. It was also seeing the confidence in a woman who has lived to see 100 birthdays. She held her head high, she regained such posture, she participated in conversation, she savored the flavor of her lunch/birthday cake/ice-cream, she continued to comment that she just loved having her family at her home. She savored the day, she seized the moment, and she probably slept like a baby!
Kudos to My Grandma and My Friend....
You are one Incredible Lady!
Happy 100th.
I'll start working on the 101st for creative b-day ideas!
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