Today I got to witness the power of youth coupled with the weakness that is old age. And before you say anything, yes, I know I am old. However, I'm talking about something slightly different.
Today was Joanna's grandmother's 96th birthday. Ninety-six years. That's a long time. Two World Wars. Two Gulf Wars. Two other "conflicts". And that was just the military. A lot has changed in the world in the past ninety-six years and Grandma keeps going. We lost Grandpa almost five years ago and while it's still sad for all of us in different ways, we know that as time marches forward, it gets sadder for Grandma.
As we were driving today (we went to an Open House of our nephew's school), she mentioned that three women that she had known for some time passed away this week. To my knowledge, each of them were just a little younger than she was, so naturally, she was saddened. However, even she knew the power of young children on the old and how they can magically make them feel young again. Grandma knew that by being with her great grandchildren, she would feel happier once again instead of the loneliness that accompanies the news that another friend has passed away.
Watching Abby with her cousins is always fun. The three of them like to run around and play as much as possible and Abby loves both of them to the point where if one decides to run in one direction, Abigail with try to follow as well. Of course it doesn't always work because they get out of hand, but when the three of them are together, it is always entertaining to watch.
Despite the sadness that Grandma began the day with, I know that she was happier by the end of it because she got to see the people that she loved on her special day.
Happy birthday Grandma. Ninety-six years is definitely not enough. Let's push for one hundred.
Until tomorrow.
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