On May 27th, 1914 my "Granny Lyons" was born - marking this day as her 99th birthday if she were still alive. She was Janet McCrae until she married my grandpa in 1936, and she was "just a wife" until my mom was born later that same year. Today, and always, I am beyond thankful to have had a grandma who adored me. It's one of those wonky things...my thankfulness and her adoration - because I didn't really know it at "the time". Never did stop and say "wow! I am blessed" to have my grandma stand back and simply beam at me whenever we were in the same room. She would make a sound whenever we hugged hello or good-bye that, at the time, I considered a "grandma thing" and I didn't pause one. single. time. and consider that THIS is what unconditional love SOUNDS like.
WHAT A GIANT BLESSING you were to me, Granny. Thank you for giving me a suitcase for my birthday (full of underwear!!)...a suitcase that wasn't wrapped so I had to "hide my eyes!" while you placed the treasure on my lap! It was such a big deal, that suit case. You made me feel like such a big girl who would be able to pack a bag to come spend the night at your house! I cherish the little treks we would take here and there in your VW BUG....me all tucked into that itty bitty compartment in the back. I remember the way it felt to tag along with you to one of your card parties. I know from stories told that you rocked the world of card playing - but on those days when I was by your side, you made me feel like I was the reason you were having such a ball. I will always be grateful for you pointing out that you loved the way Tim looked at me. And again, at the time you said it, I didn't know what it meant. (and to be perfectly honest, I thought you were a little crazy!!) I will always remember the way it felt when you brought flowers from your yard to meet your great grandchildren, MaryAnne and Benjamin. You beamed at them in the same way you beamed at me for all of my life. And you made that sound while you beamed.
I have no idea what kind of cake you considered your favorite - my guess would be a cake shared with one or more of your grandchildren! Today that cake would have had 99 candles on it. Imagine! There would be hootin' and howlin' and more laughter than one heart could handle. We would walk away from the gathering knowing something profound: that WE REALLY ARE.
Thank you for loving me, Granny. Thank you for adoring my siblings, my cousins and I. I am so glad you were born 99 years ago and that the story would unfold to make you my granny.
