98th Birthday

Turning 98 years old is a remarkable event in anyone’s life.  For me to have enjoyed 63 of those years with my Aunt Stella is awesome.  She has been a significant part of my life from my earliest memories and a huge influence because of her consistent and reliable presence during every major event of my life.  Mostly she has given me the encouragement to be uniquely me and accepting of whatever that evolves to be.  Her three children, three of her four grandchildren and two of her four great grandchildren joined together with their families and Jim and I to celebrate her life tonight.

I should have done a group photo instead of catching everyone in conversations during the evening with multiple shots, but I was enjoying everyone’s company too much to think of gathering all of them together at the time.  The great grandchildren enjoyed the pool.  Everyone enjoyed the delicious meal that each of us contributed a portion of and the glorious sunset preceding dessert was astounding.  The choice between chocolate, key lime and Marion berry pie was difficult but accomplished by all.

The long held tradition of family gatherings is a cherished time for me whenever I can attend and I regret that my life choices have taken me away from these events on a regular basis, but perhaps that is what makes them so dear to me when I do get to attend.  I never take those moments for granted and each precious birthday with Stella becomes even more important.  Everyone agreed subsequently it was a great gathering and that is what “the good life” is all about.