90 Year Young

Today is Nana's 90th Birthday!!!

Over the weekend we celebrated her milestone.

We surprised because we were afraid that she would get too anxious about the party. She was escorted by my uncle and his two sons.

Nana has lived a very good life with many obstacles along the way. Despite some of these obstacles she kept on living her life!!

She had a good childhood but like everyone from that generation they had their rough times.  She tells the most incredible stories from her childhood in Philly making me wish that I grew up there.

Nana married my Grandfather Robert Walters. She gave birth to six children but only raised three. Three of her children died very young. (Tough thing for a parent to deal with.)

Nana lost her husband when my father was around 16 years old. She was lucky to find love and security with her second husband George Shafer. I called him Pop George. I remember him and he passed away when I was about four.

Several years later Nana met Ed Densten who would become her third husband. After she met Ed she began to travel and see the world. Without Ed I don't know if she would have done all the traveling she did.

I am so very lucky to have such a great relationship with my grandmother. She has been a real inspiration to me.  I have so many memories of cooking, gardening, decorating, dressing up, and organizing with her. She was never afraid of trying anything. She would build things with her own two hands and sometimes other's help

This is a candidate picture. I think that she was praying here. I think that she was VERY THANKFUL!!!

She is one of the youngest people I know.

The cake was so yummy!!

Nana is  well loved by her 3 children, plus three more (in-laws), 11 grandchildren (plus more because of marriages), and six great grandchildren (with one more on the way).

With the exception of one grandchild all of her family was gathered with her this weekend. It's hard to say or believe but that hasn't happened in over 25 years.

I feel very blessed to have such a great Grandmother and that my children are lucky enough to play with her!!!

Happy 90th Birthday Nana!!