Today is my Meemo’s Birthday.
She is 84 years VERY young today.
She is as sharp as a tack. Always has been. (Though she will tell you she isn’t but I think this is for convenience and not really true)
She is, bar none, the wisest, most compassionate woman I have ever met.
She was raised in extreme poverty and had five siblings.
She survived polio when she was very young. She once told me she remembers crying when her mother had to leave her in a crib, all alone, in some kind of facility that kids with polio were required to live in back-in-the-day. She was there for quite a while – until she was polio-free.
She met my amazing grandfather, Grandjack. (There will be a post on him coming up soon…) They fell in love, married, had four children, and a wonderful life until he passed away three years ago. We still miss him terribly. They almost made it to 60 years of marriage.
She was told she was going to die when she was 29. She had colon cancer and it was severe. The doctors told her to get her affairs in order and they took my mother, their oldest child, on a “last vacation.” As a mother, I cannot even fathom what this trip could have been like. How very sad it must have been and so heartbreaking to try to have fun on a trip in which you thought was going to be your last-ever vacation with your child. Yet she did it for the memory it would have provided my mother.
Speaking of trips, she always says that when someone dies they “took the big trip.” For some reason, this always makes me giggle.
She almost took the “big trip” back then when she was 29. Obviously, the doctors underestimated the tenacity of this woman and her desire to be here on earth with her family. She is still here. She experienced many more family vacations (of which the details would have to be a separate post because they are too funny – she once said that when they took a cross country trip, station wagon and all, the only thing she saw were the laundromats.) and added one more child. Her son. Her only son.
She delights in her grandchildren.
She sometimes stuffs money in her bra but she would deny this if you ever called her on it.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She had a double mastectomy. She fought it. She won again. She didn’t take the “big trip.” Thank God.
She needs to have Beyonce’s “I’m a Survivor” or Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” be her theme song because really…is she ever a survivor. She has currently outlived many of her loved ones and she was supposed to die at 29. Hope.
She makes me laugh like no one else can.
She has an uncanny ability to go right back to when her four children, spaced one right after the other just like my own, were young and can remember what she did and how she did it. She once told me she remembers running to her bedroom in excitement when it was naptime and her Good Housekeeping magazine had arrived that day. This is exactly how I feel when my People magazine arrives. So many mamas forget what it was like when their children were young. She so very much remembers.
She loves my children as much (maybe even more?) as she loves me and I remember feeling that love when I was a little girl in so many ways. I am delighted when I see my own daughter, who is old enough to form lasting memories of her great-grandmother, being loved by her because I know how wonderful it feels.
She has dispensed advice that has stuck with me since I started to grow into maturity. Particularly the one of “Natalie, not everyone is going to like you,” and “You’ll feel better if you put some lipstick on.” My personal favorite is when she holds up her hand and simply says “Boundaries!” when someone is asking too many questions usually my mother.. Her voice yells that word in my head as soon as someone has asked me something that is a little too personal for my taste. I love it.
Happy 84th Birthday to my treasured and loved Meemo. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn’t grown up without you in it.
Yes, we think she looks like Barbara Bush, too.
Please do me a HUGE favor and leave a “happy birthday” comment for my Meemo today. I promise I’m not fishing for comments. I just want to have a whole host of people wish her a very happy 84th. THANK YOU!!!!
A big happy birthday from faraway Italy, and many happy returns of the day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Meemo!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE your advice and will remember it. Love the ‘boundaries’ thing you do…I’m starting that today!!!! :-)
Wow, she is TRULY amazing! What an inspiration! I’m left practically speechless (which is front page newsworthy) after reading her story. Thank you so much for sharing. Wow.
~melody~
Have a fabulous birthday Meemo! You sound like an awesome lady. Me and my peeps over here in London wishing you a swinging good time.
Also nice to meet you Mommy on Fire, like your blog name. Will add you to my growing list of Hot Blog Titles ;-)
.-= Babes about Town´s last blog ..Baby on a leash =-.
Wow, I send my birthday greetings from much closer than the ones posted previously! I will enjoy seeing my Mother, Natalie’s Meemo, today. She is known as “Charger” to my husband and me. This refers to her being “in charge” of most everything! We love her dearly and are blessed to have her in our lives. xoxo Julie
Birthday greetings,’ Meemo’! What a life you’ve had and what a gift of a grandaughter to chronical it- blessings on your 84th :-)
Happy birthday Meemo! What a remarkable life you have lived! You have left quite an impression on Miss Natalie! May you enjoy many, many more birthdays with the people you love!
Happy Birthday!! That is so awesome Natalie to be 84 years YOUNG.. She is as that an amazing lady. My mother turned 84 years YOUNG the 19th of Feb & is too sharp as a tack & even still mows her own yard & walks 5 days a week. hint..(must have been that good Dr.advice she went to for so many years) Dr Lenox!!
Happy Birthday “Meemo”! What a sweet story that made me cry. Your blessed to have her, as not everyone can experience this close relationsship with their grandmother.
Well, Meemo is just as beautiful as I remember her! I haven’t seen her since we were pretty young, but she looks the same! Very, very, very happy birthday! I hope you have many more!
You are sharing and creating such wonderful memories through your blog. Thanks for sharing with the WORLD! :)
Happy birthday Meemo! What an amazing grandmother you have Natalie. May her full and rich life be an inspiration to us all.
.-= Kelly Jo @ Typing One-Handed´s last blog ..I’m the Mom, and It’s MY Choice =-.
Tanjoubi omedetou!! Happy birthday from Japan – I hope you have a fantastic day!
.-= Abigail´s last blog ..Monster coin purse – how to sew felt =-.
What an amazing life! Happy Birthday, Meemo!
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Thank God for Google =-.
Happy Birthday Meemo! Wishing you health and happiness:)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEEMO! What an amazing life you have lived! May you enjoy many more birthdays!
Happy Birthday Meemo! It sounds like you are one amazing woman and this world is better since it has you in it! I hope you have a wonderful day!!
happy birthday meemo! what a wonderful , amazing life you have lived! enjoy your day!
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..every day should be full of love: =-.
Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
.-= Rhea´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday ~ Mommy & Gabe =-.
Happy Happy Birthday Meemo and many many more.
You are a family treasure.
Happy Birthday Meemo! You are a blessed woman!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..The great key debacle =-.
Happy Birthday! You are a blessed woman and your family loves you beyond measure. Your life is a true testament to who you are and the love that you have shared. We see this in the love that others have for you and in the joy that shows on their faces when they speak of you .
Happy birthday Meemo!
Happy Birthday to such a wonderful young-at-heart woman! You are very blessed in life, simply because I know you have a wonderful granddaughter! Here’s wishing you many more years of health and happiness!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Best wishes!!!
.-= Brook (Matt5verse6)´s last blog ..He Will Keep Your Life =-.
We would like to wish you a happy Birthday! Have a fabulous day!
The Gant Family
Happy Birthday Meeemo!!! Oh how I miss her. I considered her to be a grandma to me also growing up. Both of mine lived an hour a way. I remember her lipstick comments and they still make me laugh, and how she would get a little irritated when we would be in her kitchen getting something to drink and begging to take the golf cart out for a spin, and usually Andy would tag along. She is a wonderful woman and I think about her more than you know. I hope she has a GREAT day and please tell her we said hello!
Wonderful tribute- to her strength, integrity and grit to survive. She showed those doctors, didn’t she? Wonderful.
.-= sara@domesticallychallenged´s last blog ..What I meant to say Wednesday =-.
Happy Birthday to a beautiful lady. What an inspiration her life is!!! :)
Happy 84th Birthday!
I hope you have a WONDERFUL day and get to spend it with all your loved ones!!
Happy Birthday! I have several people close to me who also celebrate their birthdays today! You have a wonderful granddaughter who is a fantastic writer!
Happy Birthday to you! Have a magnificent day!
.-= Brittany´s last blog ..The Landlord =-.
Happy Birthday Meemo!! 84 never looked so good!!! What a blessing you have been to so many of your family and friends! I really enjoy reading your granddaugters blog! I was introduced to her site via Jodi Hootman. God Bless You Meemo!! alissa :-)
Happy Birthday to her and thanks for stopping by!
.-= Lee the hot Flash Queen´s last blog ..Holy Hot Flashes, It’s My SITS Day! =-.
Happy Birthday, Meemo! I am inspired by the battles you’ve fought and won; I can only imagine how much strength you must have. :-)
.-= Elle´s last blog ..B for Back to School =-.
Happy Birthday, Meemo!! What a wonderful and loved woman you are. I wish many more years of love to you today! Have a great day!
Beautiful story , SITSta!
.-= The Drama Mama´s last blog ..Shoot the Poop Monday =-.
Happy Birthday young lady!! You have a wonderful family!! xoxoxo b-
I just read through a few of your posts that I must have missed while I was busy living life, but I have an overwhelming feeling of wanting to give you a GIANT hug. You have been through so much but you seem to be so at ease and it comes thorugh in your writing even though you are writing about some difficult things.
I am so glad I found your blog.
Sadie at heyMamas
.-= Sadie at heyMamas´s last blog ..Something a little different =-.
What a great lady!! Happy Birthday to Meemo and wishing her many more
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Olympic Adventures =-.
Happy Birthday, Meemo! I’ve heard so much about you over the years. You are such an inspiration to all of us!
Happy Birthday, Meemo! No wonder your daughter and granddaughter are such wonderful women – they take after YOU!! Best wishes!
Happy Birthday, Meemo! Wishing you a very happy birthday filled with lots of hugs and kisses from those grandchildren!
Happy 84th Birthday, Meemo!! Natalie is lucky to have a grandmother like you. Enjoy your special day.
Happy belated 84th birthday! I hope it was a wonderful one:)
.-= debbie´s last blog ..The Problem with Following Rules =-.
she sounds so very wonderful!!! HAPPY 84 YEARS of a well lived life!!! MANY MANY MANY MORE!!! : )
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness: The end zone… =-.
Happy wishes on your 84th birthday, Meemo!
Happy Birthday Meemo! I love the “not everybody is going to like you” advice. This is something I am trying with all my might to incorporate into my life and accept! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy birthday to my precious Mother! Our family has been so blessed with such strong and loving parents to guide us through this game of life. We’ ve all shared our “bumps in the road” and were always gently picked up with God’s love and Mom and Dad dusting off our broken hearts and sending us back out into the world. Thank you, my dear daughter Natalie, for creating this wonderful tribute to my Mother! By the way, I don’t think I was the one always asking too many questions-pretty sure it was my sisters Julie or Nancy!
Many, many wonderful returns on your birthday Meema!
.-= Bobbi´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness: Spring to my step… =-.
Happy Birthday, Meemo! You’re a delight unto the Lord!
Happy, Happy Birthday Meemo! (best name ever!) May God bless you this year and every year thereafter. What a beautiful life you have!
♥♥
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness :: Books and Thanks! =-.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEEMO!!!!!! You sound like such a fantastic woman!!! I so wish I could scoot up besyde you and listen to you talk about the days when your kiddos were little…like mine are now…ages 4,3,2 and 8 months. =) I LOVE the visiualk of you holding upi yor hand and saying, “Boundaries!” I am DEFINITELY going to use this one! I hope you had/have a wonderful birthday!
~Mandy
.-= MandyP´s last blog ..Follow Friday!!! =-.