Happy Birthday Grandma!

I was the first grandchild on my dad's side, for 7 years, until my stinky brother came along. For seven years, I had the attention of a woman who LIVES for children. She came to California from Duluth, Minnesota where her parents who were french Canadian relocated from for warmer weather. I can't imagine how Minnesota was warmer than Canada - but this is how I know the story. San Diego was the last resort for her brother's failing health and her father was a carpenter by trade - a skill passed down to my dad, the man who can build ANYTHING.

Grandma, Kara and a beautiful red-haired doll on a cake

Walking in my Grandma's house brings back such comforting memories of childhood. The smell of bacon cooking, fresh strawberries and memories of her running out to our car as we were pulling away from the curb with a bag of snacks because - God forbid we get hungry on the 1-1/2 hour ride home, all memories that fill my heart and soul. She makes these amazing peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate that will make you weak in the knees. Knowing my love for cooking and collecting cookbooks, she organized and collected recipes from all family members and then added her very own special recipes. It was a beautiful way to document our family recipes.

Grandma and Kara - March 10, 2001

Grandma has had a myriad of health problems and we all amazed and thankful that she is still with us. Though our conversations are not as frequent as they once were, her voice cracks with emotion when I say hello and when we see each other I realize that there could be no better person to have 10 children by birth, raise a grandchild, have 3 great-grandchildren and commit yourself to raising your youngest daughter's children.

I can remember, years ago, long before I met D I was dating a dude in San Diego and I would often have time to spend - one on one with my Grandma. We would go to a movie or out to dinner - just the two of us. It was really cool. She would reminisce about stories involving my dad and the other 3 oldest boys, my dad is #2 of 10 and she would be laughing so hard we would both have tears streaming down our faces.

Yes, she gave birth to ten children - all healthy and her grand-daughter is an infertile - hmph. It is not a subject we discuss, I would love to say it is too painful for her to discuss - I just don't know what the truth of the matter is.

I will try to capture some video of our weekend in San Diego where we will celebrate her 80th birthday!