A Birthday Party for Nana

My grandmother, Nana, turned 88 years old on April 16.

We had celebrated her birthday last weekend at the lake with all our family because we thought she would be going back to Mobile after Easter but because of her fractured foot and the trouble of having a cast, my mother got her to stay in Troy with her.

Mom organized a very last minute but lovely little surprise party for Nana since she was going to be away from her friends on her special day.

Mom invited several women in town that has gotten to know Nana over the past several years of visiting Troy. She served cake, fruit and punch. The biggest surprise was a private concert with Shelia Jackson.

Shelia is our Tourism Director so mom and I work with her a lot on different community events. However, Shelia is renowned for her vocal talent. She sang at my wedding but more importantly has sung for many governors, was invited to sing the National Anthem at the US Open tennis tournament and even has been in a few movies. She is a busy gal but made time to come and serenade Nana and her party guests with a few songs.

We learned that Nana would not had been forgotten on her birthday by her friends in Mobile anyway. She received several phone calls from her friends at Knollwood, the independent living complex where she lives. They all begged her to come home quickly because they were missing her upbeat attitude and playing Rumikub with her! We laugh and say she is the Homecoming Queen of Knollwood because she is so well loved and such the social butterfly of that place.

I think it will be a birthday Nana will always remember.

Happy Birthday Nana!! We love you so much and look forward to celebrating many more years with you. Thanks for being such a cool grandmother and reminding us to live life to the fullest.