Happy 96th Mimi

Today is my Mimi's birthday.  She is turning 96.  She is miles away from us in VA and my folks drove up to celebrate with her.  I wish we were closer so I could decorate my house, host a meal and fix her favorite birthday cake.  My Mimi is a very special woman and I love her dearly.  I'm so glad that the Lord has blessed her with longevity for my children to know their great grandmother.

As a grandmother she always went above and beyond the call of duty to show love to her 4 grandkids.  She and Papa had my sister and I flown up in an airplane several times when we were young to spend a week with them in the summer before our family joined us for another week long visit.  We spent every Christmas at their house on the lake.  My mind is filled with memories of boating, skiing, ice skating on their lake and hours of playing family board games and bumper pool in their basement.  They took us to amusement parks and even rode the rides with us. 

Mimi  is always cheerful and the eternal optimist.  I guess that's where my Dad got it from.  (What a good trait to pass to your children!)  She and Papa were so bold as to take my sister and I on a week long Airstream camper trip for 3 different summers:  Lake Placid, NY; Boise, Idaho, California and the Wild West;  and Duluth, Minnesota and Canada.  Thanks to them I have been to almost every one of our 50 states!  Just imagine being in a vehicle hours on end for a week, stopping to tour as you go, with 2 energetic tweens (who I am SURE were nothing but a blessing the whole time, right Mimi?).  Mimi is a trooper!

Mimi is an avid learner.  Even within the last 10 years she has traveled all over the world (literally), has gone to cultural events like plays, museums and exhibits and has taken classes to learn new skills or refresh herself in other languages.

My life is richer because of my grandmother.  I hope she has a very special birthday today!  I love you, Mimi!