Thankful Day 18

Today I am thankful for three women that were born today. My Grandmother, my Great Aunt and one of my best friends. They are all amazing women and have had such an impact on my life. I've been lucky to have them.

My Grandmother (Dad's mom) was Gam or Gammy to us. She was full of love and was an amazing cook. Some of my favorite memories are cooking with her, especially her famous brownies.  We would peel an entire bag of caramels to melt, always making sure to steal one or two along the way.  When I was little and would sleep over at her house she would come to the guest room with me and read me stories and play games.  She always made me feel special.  She came to as many of my events as she could during middle and high school to support me.  When I would come home from college she would always send me back with some sort of baked good.  She passed away in 2008 and while I still miss her I'm thankful for the time I had with her.  I always knew I was loved.

Gam and I when I was a little over a year old in 1984 (with my great grandmother in the corner)



Gam and I at my wedding in 2007.  I'm so glad she was able to be there.

 

 





My Great Aunt (Gam's sister) was also born today a few years after my grandmother.  To this day it's still hard to get out of her exactly how many years that is (even though we all know).  She has always been loving and supportive but I've grown much closer to her as I've gotten older.  She tells great stories about growing up, about Gam, about my great grandmother (Mamaw) and our family in general.  She's the go to person when you find an old family photo or heirloom and want to know more.  When Gam passed away she helped me go through the house and point out things that had meaning that I never would have guessed.  She writes me letters to this day and has been very supportive through everything with Madeline.  We went over to see her tonight and I'm thankful that I've been given this time to get closer to her.

My Great Aunt on her wedding day with Gam as a bridesmaid in 1957.

 

My Great Aunt, Mamaw and Gam in 1999.  It was Mamaw's 100th birthday.

 

 

The other woman I'm thankful that was born today is one of my best friends.  We met in college because we joined the same sorority.  We knew each other but didn't become close until our Junior year.  Another friend knew we'd get along really well and started ensuring we hung out more.  Then we were pretty much joined at the hip.  She is one of the strongest, kindest, wittiest, most thoughtful people I have ever known.  She's been there for me through thick and thin.  Even though life has thrown us both curve balls throughout the years and we don't live in the same place (haven't since I got married . . . she even lived in Berlin, Germany for a while) she is my sister and I know she'll be there for me.  Time and location don't affect that.  She is also an amazing mother.  I hope someday I'm half as great at it as she is.

 

 

Us in Rome. She was teaching abroad and I went to visit for her Spring Break.

She and her son, 4th of July 2012.  We met at IKEA for a fun day.