“I’m a great-great grandmother!”
They were the words of my 99 year old grandmother when I called her with the news that our little granddaughter Eden had been born.
Nan is my hero.
She’s seen both world wars, survived the Great Depression, and raised her four children as a widow. She farewelled her boy to Vietnam. She’s raised other people’s children when they couldn’t do it themselves. She’s never learned to drive. She’s walked everywhere including to work to help sustain her family. She’s volunteered. She’s never travelled. Shes been content with the simple things of life.
Although very frail Nan “still has all her marbles”, as she would say! She has survived cancer twice. Once when she was 90, and again when she was 93! She’s the most resilient person I know. Oh, and did I mention she still lives independently?
My whole life I’ve never heard her complain about anything or anyone.
Back to the phone call. Nan asked what time Eden had been born, and when I told her, she realised that due to the time difference she’d actually put Eden’s birthday on the incorrect day.
So Nan says “I must change the calendar”.
It wasn’t till after we said goodbye that I realised what that statement actually signified.
At almost 100 my Nan is still living in expectant hope for tomorrow.
Her hero status in my eyes just went up another notch. 🙂
Quietly Roaring 
Oh, I sure like your Nan. Definitely hero material. That challenges me!
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Her attitude to life challenges me too Gary!
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This post really touched my heart. What a blessing to have Nan in your life! Thank you for sharing this sweet story.
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Thankyou Benita! We will be visiting for her 100th birthday next month God willing. I can’t wait to see her.
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How wonderful! I pray for a very happy celebration for Nan.
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What an amazing lady indeed!
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Yes she sure is!
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Don’t you want to be like her when you grow up?😊💕
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Ha ha I sure do! 🙂
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Firstly .. what a wonderful Grandmother you will be to precious Eden! Congratulations!
Secondly .. your Nan is amazing … but she has also passed those genes down.. You are one of the strongest people I know! Quietly roaring sums you up so well!
When I grow up I want to be like Nan and you xxx
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Anonymous…thankyou! xx
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Wow, what a blessed heritage you have–a wonderful Godly woman. I look forward to meeting her one day at the marriage banquet in Heaven.
Congratulations on little Eden!
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Thanks so much Manette! Nan is a Catholic and doesn’t like to talk about her faith but I agree I have a blessed heritage because of her. Thankyou for the congratulations! Eden is the sweetest, I’m smitten. 🙂
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Congratulations to you and your family on the arrival of a very precious gift. How wonderful that your Nan is here to embrace her newest title and hopefully will get to meet your sweet Eden soon.
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Thank you so much Beth!
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Beautiful story, Jo! I would LOVE to hear and learn from the wisdom of your Nan! I can complain way more than I care to admit or even realize. Thank you for sharing your love for Nan!
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Thanks Mandy!
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What a great lady!
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Thanks David, she sure is!
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Thank you for honoring your grandmother here. This brief summary of her life really humbles me. She deserves to be celebrated as a model of service, love, and perseverance.
Bravo ‘Nan’, a true heroine!
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Thankyou Lisa Beth! Since posting that, she has turned 100 and had a fabulous day celebrating with all her family.
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Wow! 🎉
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