100th Birthday Party/Family Reunion
The year 1912 was a year filled with
some major historical events, the beginning of some big companies,
and the invention of some popular treats. Some of the key ones are:
The Titanic Sank.
Lifesavers were invented.
Paramount Movie company started.
Oreos were created.
Arizona became a state.
Girl Scouts started.
But, in my husband's family, there was
another great event that happened in 1912. His Grandma Gwen was born.
That means that this year, 2012,
Grandma turns 100 years old! (In just a few days, actually!) To
celebrate, we spent the Canada Day holiday weekend having a big
family birthday bash. We invited the whole extended family in a
reunion style event.
Can you even imagine how life has
changed in a hundred years? I mean, even my short life of 35 years
has seen a dramatic set of changes. There was no such things as a computer then, and now our lives are ruled by them. It's Crazy!
I did a lot of the prep work and
planning (along with my Sister in Law). The event turned out
fantastic and was a terrific way to honour both Grandma as she turns
100, but also to celebrate her youngest sister who is turning 90 this
year!
J & I arrived late after a lot of
running around prep work on Friday night, and joined the family
members who were able to participate in the hotel bar for some food
and conversation. It was relaxed and fun. Grandma was beaming –
enjoying visiting with family that she hadn't in a long time.
One of my favourite memories from
Friday was sitting and talking to Grandma alone for a while. She's so
wise and fun to chat with. She shared with me how happy she was that
she hadn't gotten into health care or the arts in university (which
her parents required them all to go to), instead choosing to take
secretarial studies. She told me that the skills she learned then
have been life skills – something she still uses today. And she
does – as she sends off emails to friends and family.
Check out the t-shirts that my youngest
sister-in-law designed for the reunion. So cute!
On Saturday, the men went golfing while
some of us went to the zoo. It was a little weird for me since I had
left my kids at home with my (brave) sister for the weekend! The
crazy heat tried to do all of us in, but we all survived. I snuck out
early to spend some quiet time in the hotel alone relaxing – a
luxury I rarely get.
It was Saturday night that was the big
event – dinner together. Grandma and Great Aunt Lloy looked
stunning and very happy.
We filled the tables with flowers,
balloons and Lifesavers party favours that I'd made. Our cupcake tree looked gorgeous – thank you to
Mitchel's cakes for their hard work.
What can you give two ladies who don't
really need much more “stuff?” How about memories and
well-wishes? We collected emails and messages from so many family
members – including lots who hadn't been able to make it and we put
them into a special folder for each of them. I think it was special
for them. I hope they enjoy reading them.
Grandma partied late into the night.
She was still there when we cleaned up and headed off to sleep. She
definitely enjoyed herself. And, honestly, that was the one thing I
did all the work for.
Happy 100th Birthday
Grandma. :)
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