Meet my 100-year-old inspiration, I call Gram. At her tallest (which is not now) she was 4’10”. Proof that inspiration comes in small packages. Until she was 99 ½, she worked every day. Every day. She put her butt in her desk chair and wrote the newspaper for her condo association. And while she was older than most and smaller than everyone, she was strong, her work ethic fierce and her voice respected. She didn’t take lightly to ads or articles that were turned in late or poorly written. Her sense of commitment and dedication has been her trademark for her entire life. As a young, married woman she worked with my Grandpop Mickey in their used furniture store at a time in our country when most women didn’t even think about work. Strength, she had it then and she has it now. In spades.
When I write, I often think of her. If she could put her 99 1/2 year old butt in her chair, then I can do the same. So I do. Happily. Day after day after day. And then I call her to share what I’m working on. Of late, her ability to stay in the moment and remember has begun to fade. Sometimes when I call, she knows everything about me, but sometimes, she puts on a brave voice and I know she’s not quite sure who I am. In those moments, I miss her. Not the voice, but the real her. Thankfully, her 100 years of amazing moments are etched in my heart. Recently, my family celebrated her 100th birthday with her. A day filled with hotdogs (her favorite), McDonalds fries (another fan favorite), coleslaw and balloons. And many many laughs. We spent the day listening. Listening to her share her wisdom, her thoughts, herself with us. Treasured moments.
So, this small, but mighty woman, inspires and motivates me every day. And maybe when I grow up, I’ll be just like her!
Want to know more about what makes this woman so rockin’ special, click on The Birthday Party, a narrative story about Gram and all those who love her, created by my son, Josh.
