Today my Grandpa Sonny is 85 years young. From riding in the tractor with him as a young girl to having him as loyal fan at my basketball games and track meets to singing the Lord’s Prayer at our wedding to being the most loving great-grandfather to our children, I am honored and blessed to have my grandpa in my life for the past thirty one years. Next to my grandma, his wife of 58 years, I was at my grandpa’s bedside four years ago following his quadruple bi-pass heart surgery at Mayo Clinic. I saw his deep strength through that process and was never so proud to be his granddaughter as he plowed through this recovery. Today he is the healthiest 85 year ago man I have ever seen or known.
My favorite January memory as a child was celebrating all of our family January birthdays which included my Great-Grandpa Odin on January 13, Aunt Holly on January 16, Grandpa on January 18 and me on January 6. As a child you don’t realize that those moments will not happen every year but now I cherish the memories every January.
I have already talked to Grandpa this morning, wished him a happy birthday and promised his birthday present will be soon arriving in the mail…the same gift I track down for him every year…as many different kinds of black licorice and black licorice flavored candies as I can find and buy!
When I see pictures of you as a child it amazes me how much Elizabeth looks EXACTLY like you!!! I love it!