Nana News: November 2017

On September 15, 2017, Nana celebrated her 94th birthday. Sharon and Lori and I planned a low key celebration at Nana's cozy Houston Ridge apartment. Party time started with a cake made by a local baker - white cake with white frosting - Nana's favorite. Surrounded by close family and her two helpers - Cindy and Christy - Nana handled the hoop-la with smiles and surprising calm.

Birthdays are a great time to take stock and, for Nana, there's lots of good things to celebrate. First, she's in good health. Her recent check up showed a healthy heart and blood work results all in normal range. Second, she's 94 and still lives independently in her newly renovated apartment - an amazing feat at her age. She watches her game shows, enjoys the daily Sun Gazette and does Word Find puzzles. Most days, Nana and her walker venture out for her mail and on nice sunny days she joins a few neighbors in the gazebo.

We sang Happy Birthday to Nana on her day of celebration. But when it comes to singing, it's usually Nana who is the songstress. During my monthly visits, Nana often breaks into song. As we head out for lunch, she'll be singing "Here we go, into the Wild Blue Yonder." Another favorite is "The Wreck of the Old 97." Just last week, I showed Nana a beautiful rainbow hovering over her apartment complex. This prompted a serenade of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Of course, country music is Nana's favorite. I have Sirius Radio and we've found a station called Prime Country. Nana gets to sing along with Vince Gill, Travis Tritt and Loretta Lynn. Our road trips are a country concert!

Nana is proof that age is just a number. In fact, she likes to say that she's only 49. But then she changes her mind. She doesn't want to lose her social security! 😊

Not only on her birthday, but every day, I celebrate having Nana in our lives.