Celebrating 105

A very special birthday to Grandma Iva. Born in 1903 into a large farming family in northern Pennsylvania, Grandma's life has been rich with experiences of all sorts. Grandma's quick wit, gentle spirit, and willingness to share with those around her are attributes that her family and loved ones have enjoyed and benefited from. We have all enjoyed Grandma's stories of her early years. It's been said that on one of her first dates with Grandpa, the horse drawn sled they were riding home in somehow drifted off the road and they ended up turned over in a snow bank! That story has made family history! Grandma has always been an excellent cook and excelled in home arts. But she was also very much a farmers wife, harvesting crops, driving truck to deliver lumber or hay, and taking care of champion Charolais cattle or of the wild horses shipped to the farm from the west by train. As the years went by, Grandpa and Grandma expanded their farm operation to include a ranch in Arizona. Grandma retired to Arizona with Grandpa more than thirty years ago. She lives there to this day, enjoying Arizona sunshine and the TLC of her daughter and family close by. Tomorrow they will be all gathering to have lunch with Grandma Iva. How I wish we could be there too! We cannot, but send our love, greetings, and devotion to a Grandma who has made the world a much happier place to be. Happy birthday, Grandma Iva!

Photo: from Grandma's 104th birthday party; shown with her son-in-law