95 years, that's how long Gammaw has been on this earth today. How incredible is it to have lived that much and learned so much along the way. At the young ripe age of 21 it seems impossible to me that she has lived nearly 3 times as long as I have.
As long as I have known her she has been the matriarch and rock of my family, she never stops going and she is as stubborn as a mule. That woman can do anything in the world and woe to you if you tell her she can't-sound familiar? I guess sitting along side her all these years taught me a few things.
She taught me to follow my dreams and always believe in myself, she constantly encourages me and of course has no bias. She taught me the importance of a classic outfit. I mean she's been mistaken for Queen Elizabeth II before-it's casual. She is the reason I wear large hats and accessories. She is the reason I love passionately and know what it truly means to be a mother.
When I was born she was 74, she always talks about since I am one of the youngest grandchildren she regrets not being able to play with me the same way she did with my older cousins. Yet, all I remember is how she used to play with me! There are pictures of her hiding under a kitchen table with 2 year old me because I was amused. A 75 year old crawling under a table let me keno how impressive that is. She used to have a special treat for me every time I went to her house. There were andes mints, gummy fruits, then the oranges became my favorite so she only bought those. Whenever I was coming to her house she would hide one on the window sill in the dining room and I would run in and find it. I still think about her any time I eat an andes mint to this day.
Even through I don't get to spend her actual birthday with her, I'm driving home tonight to spend time with her tomorrow.
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